Tipping the puck is such a high-end skill, requiring hand-eye coordination, which is something that you have to practice on and off the ice.
Joe Pavelski is one of the best in the world at tipping pucks, as evidenced by the video below. He always finds time to master the skill.
This is like a work of art:
I’ve watched all the goals from the 2020 NHL playoffs and have organized the goals scored by a tip or deflection into five categories shown below.
1. Standard deflection
No, sorry, I don’t have anything new for this one. Usually, a defenceman shoots the puck towards the net and the forward tries to get a stick on it.
Why is it so hard for the goalie to stop?
Not only does the puck change direction but so does the body position of the forward. We have a great net-front presence here. Take notice of the hand-eye coordination.
2. Battle for position in front
Body position is such a crucial part of the game these days. In the video below, take a look at the forwards working around the defender to get in a better position to tip the puck.
In the second part of the video, watch as winning the battle from the corner is just the beginning, hustling to the net to gain body position on the defender (that is trailing behind you) is a great way to get available to tip the puck. It works better on a low to high, D to D play.
3. Tipping from the high-slot
The difference between this one and the first example we showed is the position of the forward.
It is essential to understand that tipping the puck can come from different spots on the ice. The typical spot was usually close to the net. High tips, however, works on the “second layer” or above the hashmark.
For this one, we usually see more rebounds than goals. But I was able to find some great clips to show you.
4. Outside post
Luck or skill? It’s a great question when we look at this kind of play.
It could be a shot by the defenceman that’s going to miss the net, but at the last moment, the forward in front extends their stick and tips the puck in. It could also be a player on the side of the net, and not in front, that tips the puck into the net. Both require hand-eye coordination.
5. Double screen
Not a lot of teams are playing 5v5 with two forwards standing side by side at the net. It’s more common on the power play.
We will see in the video below, the double screen. In the first part, we can see a low and a high player. If you are lucky, you will have a defenceman trying to box out one of your forwards, creating a triple screen. Now we have two forwards who can tip the puck in front.
In the second part, both players are side by side net front. Suppose your defenceman got the puck, they can shoot to either side with options for tips/deflections. It makes it hard for the goalie to stop when they can’t see anything.
