How To Score More Breakaway & Shootout Goals Part 2
Last time we talked about the goalie and analytics around the shootout and breakaway. This time we are going to look into the key elements, cues, and apply tactics to score more.
To quickly recap
Goalies are worried about their depth & momentum
Pre-shot movement and a dual-threat position make it difficult for goalies
Key Elements
Speed
When making life difficult for a goalie, the approach speed is something a goalie needs to worry about. Their backward momentum is based on the skater’s speed.
Speed or a change of speed can often throw off the goalie’s depth and momentum
Moving the Goalie
Getting the goalie to move left/right (laterally) forces goalies to push. Understanding which leg is pushing allows for shooters to take advantage of their “stuck” position.
Puck Positioning
Where you hold the puck to become a dual-threat.
If holding the puck in front, a deke is likely. If holding the puck "in your ‘hip pocket” a shot is likely.
Taylor Hall’s lack of deception through his puck positioning is my major complaint with his breakaway approach. He led the NHL in breakaways in both 2019-20 & 2020-21 seasons. He scored on none of them.
The Pledge, The Turn, and The Prestige
Just like we discussed in the 3 parts of deception in hockey, we must be aware of what we present to the goalies.
The Pledge
The Turn
The Prestige
TJ Oshie scored multiple times during the Olympics at Sochi. Why was he able to score so many times? The pledge is the same for each of his moves!
There is no telling as to which he is going to choose.
5-Hole
Backhand deke
Forehand, glove high (either deke or shot)
He’s an elite player. I bet if we asked Oshie what he looks for in a goalie it’d be the depth and then which pad the goalie lays down first. From there he can choose his move.
Artemi Panarin is currently at the top of the shootout percentages at 61%. You can see his approach is the same and leaves 3 conflicting options that the goalie must respect.
Other NHLers are stealing his techniques. From a recent CBJ I was at:
Practical Application Example
The Pledge
Pick up speed before grabbing the puck
Similar route (across lanes) for your move that leaves multiple possibilities open
Change of speed
The Turn
Shoot to the immediate opening
Throw a fake before shooting or deking
The Prestige
The finishing deke or shot
Breakaway Moves
On a breakaway, you may not have the luxury of choosing your attack route to the goalie. It’s good to have 2-3 moves from each lane.
For me, a right-handed player:
Left lane - 5-hole deke, beat the goalie to the far post for deke around them, or shoot glove high.
Center lane - 5-hole like Lemieux, fake shot then backhand deke, or fake shot then 5-hole.
Right lane - Glove high shot, 5-hole, or blocker high deke.
Exhibit A:
Once your moves are programmed into your brain, all you need to add is the situational awareness of the backchecking pressure and what the goalie is giving you.
Further Reading
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