Craig Berube on deploying Auston Matthews at the top of a five-forward power play: "We're not getting the puck in his hands enough... Hopefully, up top, he gets it more"

"Berube: Getting to his identity. He is a big guy. He has to be a physical and hard player to play against. He is going to make and score his goals around the net, right? A little more puck touches in the offensive zone from the forecheck, and then getting to the net front and winning those battles there and tipping pucks. He has good hand-eye. He has the capability of putting the puck in the net."

"That is where I see his game can improve, but it is about getting there. From our zone out, it is about anticipating and being direct - not only him, but his linemates - and putting him in a good spot on the forecheck. If a puck enters the zone under control, get to the net and do your work there. Disrupt the other team that way, and make it hard. They don't want to box him out. He is a big guy. He can be more engaged that way."

Dakota Joshua needs to lean into his size and become a more physical, hard-to-play-against net-front presence by increasing forecheck puck touches, getting to the crease, winning battles, and tipping pucks. Anticipation and direct play from the zone exit by him and his linemates will put him in better forecheck positions. A scratch can serve as a reset that reignites a player without implying poor effort, and Joshua will return to the lineup Friday. The coaching staff is testing a five-forward power play now that Auston Matthews is available to occupy the top position.

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