There's a minute to play in the 3rd period and you're down by a goal. Your goalie is on your bench. Now what?
I am trying to compare different leagues with how you can have any kind of success at the end of the game when you pull out your goalie. The main thing is how to measure success. For this one, did you score a goal, yes or no?
Five options being used in the NHL was discussed in Part 1, so for this one I explored the KHL. In both cases, the old stuff is still working, and I don’t see them changing soon.
Behind The Net
Dynamo is playing the same way on the power play and 6 on 5. Having the puck down low is one thing, but having an option is even better. Nothing is faster than moving the puck east-west and it’s so hard to defend. Take a look at the players coming down to support the puck carrier and giving more options.
Skills On The Wall
Nothing complicated here when you have some poise with the puck. Having your most skilled player on the wall can be tricky for the opponent because not everyone will decide to chase you. First, many teams will hold on to the inside and will not chase. It’s not bad, but gives more time for maybe the best player to make a play. But on the flip side, if you chase him, you give up an option. Good players will find their way.
Traffic
Why try something complicated when you can use something efficient? Shooting from the middle of the blueline with goalie in position will always work. It was working back in the day and still works today. It is hard to catch or stop something that you don’t see. Having a shooter on top to find the lane will always be dangerous. The chance of a goal straight from the shot is low, but a goal off rebounds or deflection is high.
Using The Weak Side
Anytime you can make a play across the royal road, you have a higher chance to score a goal. What I like about this video is the read of the player who has the puck, reading if the sticks are inside or outside and making the pass across. It’s not always a clean play, but at the end of the game, if you are ready, no matter where you are, good things can happen. We can see some broken plays still made on the weak side.
Want to learn more? Check out Part 1 below.
