Plans for when you win, or lose, the draw.
After breaking down the 5v4, 5v3 and the power play breakout, I thought I might finish with some set faceoff plays on the man advantage from the 2018-19 NHL playoffs.
Faceoffs aren’t just about winning or losing the draw, they’re about what you do after the puck is dropped. If you win the faceoff, what’s the plan? If you lose the draw, do you know your opponent’s tendencies so that you can get the puck back quickly?
Here are seven different types of faceoff plays with some variations.
1. Pre-scout
Knowing your opponent is crucial if you want to execute.
Some examples in this video are options teams use against certain defensive zone set-ups they identify during pre-scout analysis. Colorado using the flank and attacking from the goal line could be a nightmare to defend.
What are you doing on a lost draw? Why not send your weak-side defenceman hunting the puck on a D-to-D behind the net?
How do you beat the “flush” off the draw or how can you hit the middle if their weak-side forward cheats high?
It’s all about knowing the tendencies and trying the create confusion right after the faceoff.
2. Strong-side D
The most common example is when you win the faceoff on the wall and the strong-side defenceman has two options. He can shoot from where he is, or he can walk the blue line (he can always make a pass) and find a better shooting lane.
The shooter is essential, but watch for the net-front presence — some teams send two players in front of the goalie.
In the second part of the video, there is the second variation. The defence can carry the puck down the wall for a shot or a scissor play with the winger on the wall.
3. D-to-D
D-to-D is the best way to use the width of the ice.
If your setup is based on having your flankers on their strong sides, the D-to-D pass and then attacking the net opens up the ice. The QB on top can always follow his pass, it’s an easy pass back for a one-timer from the middle.
We also have the “Ovie” faceoff. I don’t think I need to explain anything here. The last one, if you can execute this one with your team, send me the video, please.
4. Give to the wall
A single variation of the strong-side defenceman play that can create way more opportunities. After winning the draw, the strong-side defenceman walks the blue line and passes the puck to the flanker on the wall. We can see in the first three videos a variation of the flanker, coming from the LW, C or the RW. After the pass, the flanker still has many options to get the puck to the net.
5. Be ready on the faceoff
I always talk about having a plan on any faceoff, but what if you win the draw, execute the plan, and yet nothing is open? This is where reading the play helps you as a player. In this video, players were able to generate offence by reading the play and capitalizing on a breakdown.
6. Sweeper
A new tendency which has been used for a couple of years now is adding a fourth player in the circle. Most of the time, it’s the inside player. His main job is to hunt down any loose or jammed pucks.
We want to have numbers on the puck and keep the puck inside the zone. At the same time, on a clear win, he is an easy outlet. More and more WHL teams have started using the sweeper last season. It might be a good option if you struggle on the faceoff.
7. Weak-side D
Since forever, I have loved the way Boston plays because they always come up with a plan off the faceoff. They find ways to innovate and put their opponents on their heels.
You only have to watch the first part of this video. We can see on the video after the Boston clip, that using the weak-side defenceman could be the quickest shot towards the net after a win. Winning the puck to the middle and bringing your weak-side defenceman at full speed could be a dangerous shot.