For this drill, we want to work on the defense attacking the incoming puck through the neutral zone.  Too often we see the defense back up to "hold their line" and in return this allows the attackers to cross the blue line before they are challenged.

SET IT UP:

Coach at center ice along the boards with pucks

2 Defensive players on one end, just shy of the blue line

2 Offensive players facing the opposite end at their blue line.

RUN IT:

Coach dumps the puck into the zone and the offensive players head in to retrieve it.

As the offensive team comes out and crosses their blue line, the defensive pairing engages in the neutral zone to disrupt the advance.

Drill ends with either the offensive side getting a shot in goal, or the Defensive pair clears the puck back to the other end.

Reset and swap roles

NOTES:

Communication is KEY between the defenders.  They need to decide who is going for the attacker and who is cutting off the passing lane.

It easily can be changed to allow a single defensemen to work on the 2 on 1 attacks, or work on a 3 on 2.

You can add the center to wait, and then follow the offensive back and be used to back check or to be an extra attacker, depending on the role you wish to exploit.