Thanks Collipso! I just have so much fun coming up with these ideas, even if some may pass the edge of feasibility.

The biggest issue remaining with the pursuit plot to me is the fact that it seems like the First Order is pulling its punches to an insane degree. There’s no reason why the First Order can’t trap the Resistance fleet with their Star Destroyers, or send enough fighters to overwhelm them. So of course I’ve come up with something that is kind of audacious but might fit:

Establish that Snoke not only wants the Resistance destroyed, but also wants Kylo Ren to personally destroy Leia and complete his training since that was teased at the end of TFA. We see Kylo go against the Raddus practically alone, and Hux seems content to wait until the fleet runs out of fuel, so this theory fits what we see on screen.