The strategy "Check {Defend} to Win" is the receipe for winning hockey. The data supports the best teams have the best defensive records in goals against as well as having the best records in goal and shot differential. So, the strategy that's deployed isn't complicated, defend the middle {guts} of the ice which is the area between the face off dots on a 200'x 85" ice surface and the shortest distance to the net. The top teams push the puck and play to the perimeter {area outside the dots} defending by boxing out as a group and with the use of forechecking systems that use inside out control applying puck and angling pressure to force the offensive team to the perimeter outside the dots to protect {defend} the middle of the ice. 

The offensive strategy to counter defenders is to "Attack the Middle {Guts} of the Ice" to create scoring chances. A strong offensive team is going to use their speed, technical hockey skills and tactics to get to the middle of the ice which is necessary to get quality looks to score. When you get the opportunity to watch the goal highlights examine how the offensive team got to the middle of the ice to score. There are different ways offensively to attack the middle of the ice such as but not limited to:

• Attack Rush Play,
• OZ Play: Controlling the puck on the perimeter {outside the dots} with player and puck movement E-W, N-S and finding the right opportunity to attack middle ice low to high or high to low. 
• Deflections {redirects} or Rebounding or Shots from Soft Spots separating from coverage. 

The chart from the 2018-19 NHL Scoring Range Chart reveals the areas and distances in the Offensive Zone where the majority of goals are scored from which is important. The HOUSE is often referred to as the Prime Scoring Area {PSA} and the Game Within The Game, the area from the top of the face off circles to the net. The goals scored range drops the farther you get from the net:

Scoring Range Summary: 10' {18.3%}  10-20'  {34.3%}  20-30' {19.2%}  30-40' {12.9%} 40-50' {6.6%}  50-60' {4.8%}

Every play on a puck offensively or defensively is made by establishing inside position. The offensive player battles for inside position on his defender and the defender battles for inside position on the offensive player inside the middle {guts} of the ice. Hockey is a game of battles 1v1 and group battles. The best players thrive in tight spaces because of their ability to establish body and stick position against their opponent. 

The 4 Goals Scored in the LEAFS {2} San Jose Sharks {3} Game March 3,2025 are excellent examples of the importance of getting to the middle of the ice to score goals. On all 4 goals the offensive team established inside {offensive} position on the defensive team to score.

Goal # 1 - LEAFS Power Play

TORF91 gets to the middle of the ice to redirect a wrist shot from up top in the middle of the ice. TORF91 establishes inside {offensive position} with his body and stick to put himself in position inside the guts of the ice to get his stick on the puck to redirect it past the goal with a good net front screen by TORF23. Defenders were unable to establish body and stick position on TORF91 to prevent the stick on puck redirect. Scoring Range 20'.

Goal # 2 - LEAFS Power Play 

TORF23 outside the blue paint establishes inside body and stick position on his defender to get a stick on puck goal in the crease area. Once again, the ability to get to the inside of the ice to establisy body and stick position against his defender resulted in the goal being scored. Body position 1st, stick postition 2nd. The competitiveness of TORF23 to win position in the PSA was key to scoring because he was willing to do what was necessary to get to the inside of the ice surface. Scoring Range less than 10'. 

Goal # 3 - SJS Even Strength Goal {5v5} 

SJSF21 takes the puck wide and deep on the Attack Rush Play {ARP} and makes the pass to SJSF73 driving the middle lane inside the guts of the ice to receive the pass uncovered. Blown coverage by TOR Trackers in the guts of the ice. Offensive player and team wins the battle for the guts of the ice by establishing inside body and stick position on the defensive grouping. Scoring Range 10-20'. 

Goal # 4 - SJS Even Strength Goal {5v5}

SJS gain entrance into the LEAFS zone on the Attack Rush Play, turn back for support, low to high puck movement with a point shot that rebounds off the end boards. SJSD26 weak side D drops down to retrieve the loose puck and scores. Blown coverage by the LEAFS, TORF88 arrives late to defend SJSD26 who drops down in front of him to separate from coverage to score. Offensive team wins the battle for offensive {inside} position into middle ice to score. Scoring Range 20'. 

Hockey's a Game of Battles

Keep the game simple, it's not complicated. To make an offensive play on a puck you need to establish offensive {inside position} position on your defender. You must establisy body position 1st and stick position 2nd to make an offensive play or defensive play on a puck. Hockey is a possession game {PG} so the saying "The Puck Is Gold" is absolutely true. Manage the puck to retain puck possession and control by supporting the puck offensively and making good decisions with the puck. And when you lose puck possession, be able to get it back by defending the guts of the ice and winning back pucks by hunting pucks and establishing body and stick position defensively to win back the puck.