Using Coach Derek Lalonde’s Teaching Clips Featuring the Washington Capitals

Creating offense on the rush is one of the most exciting and effective ways to score goals. Coach Derek Lalonde breaks this down perfectly using two excellent video clips from the Washington Capitals' recent playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens. These clips clearly show how teams can turn solid defense into fast, dangerous offense.

1. Quick Transition by Defensemen

To generate scoring chances off the rush, defensemen must transition quickly from defense to offense. Coach Lalonde emphasizes the importance of being “Ready Quick”—a mindset where defensemen are prepared to move the puck fast and decisively.

• Eyes Up, Scan the Ice: Defensemen must lift their heads and scan the play to make good decisions.
• Move the Puck North: Quickly push the puck up the ice to catch opponents in transition.
• Think and Act Fast: Being “ready quick” means being prepared to make the right play without delay.

In the examples, Washington's defensemen recover the puck, scan the ice, and immediately move it forward with speed—jumpstarting a dangerous attack.

At the same time, forwards support the rush by:

• Filling all three lanes (left, center, right).
• Skating away from coverage to create passing options.
• Keeping sticks on the ice to signal readiness.
• Attacking the net using a 4-man, triple-driver formation—three players driving the net and a fourth trailing or supporting.
• Both the forwards and the defensemen use proper passing and receiving techniques.

2. Strong Defensive Zone Play Leads to Offense

The offence begins with a sound defensive structure. Lalonde highlights the importance of a tight formation in the defensive zone, something he calls a “defensive zone stop.”

• Five players back to protect the “house” (the area in front of the net).
• Play with structure to force turnovers. Using stick-on puck/body-on-body checking.
• Once the puck is regained, transition quickly—go the full 200 feet to attack the opposing net.

In the Capitals’ clips, we see perfect examples of this structure. Their strong positioning allows them to recover the puck, then instantly shift gears and catch Montreal off-balance with a fast, north-bound rush.

Final Thoughts

Coach Lalonde’s breakdowns, featuring real-game footage from the Washington Capitals, offer an excellent teaching opportunity for players and coaches. They show how smart, fast defense combined with structured support from forwards can lead to high-quality scoring chances.

Whether you're a player trying to improve your transition game or a coach looking for simple concepts to teach, this is a clear and powerful model. Watch, learn, and practice these habits—and you’ll be one step closer to mastering offense on the rush.

Enio Sacilotto is President of International Hockey Camps and operates the Mental Edge High-Performance Training. Enio has 43 years of coaching experience (professional hockey in Europe and the Victoria Royals (WHL)). Currently, he coaches at the Burnaby Winter Club Hockey Academy, is the Croatian National Men’s hockey team coach and is the Head Coach with the Grandview Steelers. If you have questions or are interested in his services, contact Enio at enio@coachenio.com or call 604 255 4747. Website: www.coachenio.com.