*No Ducks were harmed in the creation of this story

For the past two years, I have had the opportunity to work in the KHL in various positions. I have had to learn how they play hockey overseas with different caliber players, different rink sizes, and a different mentality. 

I could easily do four or five articles on different controlled breakouts I have seen in the KHL, but for today’s article, I will be focusing on seven. The biggest difference I’ve noticed from the KHL to the NHL is there are more controlled breakouts and controlled regroups, giving both teams on the ice a chance to go for a line change. Here are a couple videos which will give you a visual breakdown of what I mean.  

CBO – 2 Low Hit Middle 

In this breakout, three players swing low and come up the ice together with the two players staying high. The important thing to notice is how the middle player (red line option) is opening up the space to make a pass to the far blueline for the breakaway. It might not always result in a breakaway, but you will be able to have speed and use the width of the ice. 

CBO – 2 Low Slashing 

What I like about this one is everyone is heading to the same side. No confusion, no questions. Obviously, if you decide to go with this option, make sure to send your players or most of your players to their strong side, because it might be hard to catch a 150-foot pass on their backhand if the skillset is not there yet. From there, you have a double support coming pretty quick and even quicker is the retrieval down low. That’s way more important than the controlled breakout itself. 

CBO – 2 Swing Low 

We could call it the 1-3-1 too. It’s like “The Flying V” from the famous movie Mighty Ducks. The puck carrier skates behind his player, creating a “shield” for himself and forcing the opponent, F1, to make a decision. When the puck carrier decides to kick out left or right, the center player is coming to support, creating a 2 vs. 1 against the opponent. Again, look at the retrieval down low. Nothing will happen if you don’t know what to do and if you don’t skate. 

CBO – 4 Low Carry Middle 

I can see Connor McDavid or Nathan MacKinnon doing this one easily, and it being a nightmare for defending teams. A quick pass from the defenceman to the best skating/skill player and you let him go. Attacking the middle here is a choice. Because Leipsic reads F1, and sees he has a step on him, he skates the puck rather than making a pass. From there, he waits until the Severstals players are standing still to place the puck for himself and be first one it. Even under pressure in the corner, a hard release to the opposite side allows them to still have control of the puck. 

CBO – Slow and Attack Middle 

Yes, it looks like the previous one, but the biggest difference is they make the play later. They are looking for options and there’s none. Making a short pass on the blueline allows the player to attack the middle of the ice because his teammates ahead of him made F1 follow them. Now all the forwards are in the middle and you can use the outlet on the wall to get a clean entry. 

CBO – Outlet and Stretch 

A lot of teams will send their F1 to the blue paint on the forecheck. Using a quick outlet pass can easily get rid of that pressure. Now, let’s take a look on how the forward on the wall is coming back toward the puck (Tampa Bay Lightning do this a lot). By turning his back to the opponent, he is able to protect the puck and just flip it in behind for a recovery. 

CBO – Release F1 

Like the previous one, a lot of teams are playing F1 in the blue paint and sometimes, F2 on D2, giving up not a lot of room or options. From here, the winger on the wall just stretches. It’s all about timing, a great rim or pass off the wall. Knowing that your player will be on an island by himself. Your forwards who are curling low, are heading in his direction and filling lanes. If everything goes well, like in the video, you can have a 3 vs. 2 straight from the offensive blue line.