What is the Diamond Penalty Kill in hockey?
The Diamond Penalty Kill in hockey is a shape that contains the power play to the outskirts, or the periphery, of the defensive zone. The Diamond is used to prevent high danger scoring chances from the inner slot area directly in front of the goalie by stationing one player on the top of the crease, one in the middle of the ice (in the high slot above the tops of the circles), and two players protecting the goalie’s flanks on either side of the slot.
What are the benefits of using the Diamond Penalty Kill in hockey?
The primary benefit of the Diamond Penalty Kill in hockey is the predictability of the chances the power play team will receive. Because the diamond sets up in a mostly stationary formation, it means the power play will only be able to take shots from the periphery of the defensive zone. The penalty killers are positioned tightly in front of the goalie, thus it’s nearly impossible to get dangerous scoring chances in the low slot area simply by passing the puck around. It is also relatively simple for players to play their positions, as the system doesn’t call for very much aggression. The Diamond is content to keep shots to the outside while it waits for the penalty kill clock to wind down.
What are the disadvantages of using the Diamond Penalty Kill in hockey?
The disadvantages are twofold: the time and space given to the power play, and the potential for that time and space to result in rebound chances.
A power play with time and space will be able to pass the puck through its players easily, but with the Diamond Penalty Kill, those passes are unlikely to result in a glorious scoring chance. That is until a shot is taken from the periphery that makes it through traffic and creates a rebound. Goals scored off a rebound are among hockey’s most likely goals. A Diamond Penalty Kill will allow shots from the periphery, but once those shots are taken, even if the goalie stops the original shot, a rebound produced in the low slot area is a highly dangerous chance.
What are the forward responsibilities for the Diamond Penalty Kill in hockey?
The diagram of the Diamond Penalty Kill above looks quite incomplete without the corresponding power play, but it’s important to note that this is normally a starting point for teams. The forwards are usually placed at the top near the blue line and then on either side of the goalie, or the flank. These forwards are responsible for standing in the way of potential shots, or blocking shots, in order to prevent them from getting to the net. The forwards are also responsible for intercepting passes between the power play players and icing the puck.
What are the defenseman responsibilities for the Diamond Penalty Kill in hockey?
The defencemen in the Diamond are responsible for the net front position first and foremost, which usually means they’re charged with tying up the player who is stationed there on the power play and preventing them from scoring a rebound goal or screening the goalie. This player needs to be strong and possess good anticipation skills in order to find loose pucks after shots and clear it down the ice.The second defenceman will be positioned to the side and be responsible for blocking shots and intercepting passes as well as clearing the puck.
Which coaches use the Diamond Penalty Kill in hockey well?
Coaches who use the Diamond efficiently are coaches who have prepared well and understand the threat of an incoming power play. This might mean the team is facing a particularly strong opponent, or simply possesses players who might not be the fastest, and therefore need a simple penalty kill system that eliminates the most dangerous opportunities. Coaches who have goaltenders with strong rebound control are also more likely to use the Diamond.
What skills or strengths does a team or player need to run the Diamond Penalty Kill in hockey?
The primary skills required by a hockey team proficient running the Diamond Penalty Kill are anticipation, stick-checking (for intercepting passes), and physical strength (to clear rebounds away from the front of the net).
Which teams are the best examples that use the Diamond Penalty Kill in hockey?
Using high danger scoring chances as a metric, these NHL teams were the most proficient in preventing scoring chances from inside the low slot area in the 2022/23 season.
Rankings from Natural Stat Trick
Boston Bruins
Toronto Maple Leafs
Los Angeles Kings
