Reply To: Daily Drill Section Thirteen

[Tom Molloy]

How the NHL Plays the Game

Some thoughts of how the game is now being played at the NHL level.

I have seasons tickets to the Flames and watch a lot of practices and this is a change I have seen in the last few months. Detroit, Chicago and a few other teams always played like this but now it looks like all the teams have changed to a more dynamic style to counter the way teams now defend. Here is what I see.

Very interesting watching the NHL lately. Most teams now play a 2-1-2 game of 'Total Hockey' reading 1-2-3-4-5. They pinch on wide rims and also on the strong side when they have and F3 to fill behind. They alternate between this and a 1-2-2 which is vulnerable to a C low and slow breakout because no one is in the middle. They also attack with 4 and one D joins the attack and often both D to at least the top of the circle.

In the defensive end most swarm when the attacker is facing the boards, both even and pk. Lots of teams still have trouble covering F3 on the cycle. The D wants to stand in front of the net instead of moving out at least half way. (Crosby passed to F3 twice for goals two nights ago) A principle they would get better results with is. Closest defender on tight, second closest within a stick length and third closest half way.

To break the forecheck the winger goes tight to the point and chips out or if the D's skate caps are up ice they fly the zone for a stretch pass and then tip in back to an oncoming player or chip it in. The better players get between the dots with the puck to create more options.

Teams attack with the middle drive and the widest play decides whether to stay wide for the pass across or become a trailer.

Defending teams collapse deep into the slot area and leave the points open. The new foot gaurds allow a lot more shot blocking without foot injuries so moving the puck to diagonal shooters is one of the only ways to get shots through. Defending in the nzone is like the forecheck. F1 locks the strong side boards, D1 protects the middle and D2 plays tight on the wide attacker.

Everyone uses the Diamond 1-3-1 power play and I see more inverted 1-3-1 setting up behind the net now. The cross pass really works vs. teams that don't have the F in the middle go up and back. The second F will 'fall under' behind F1 and go to the first pass side.

Most goals are scored with 'passes off the pad', one timers and deflections off shots or shot passes. Goals off the rush are usually a result of turn-overs just inside the defensive blue line.

'The Game is the Greatest Coach'
'Enjoy the Game'