As of this writing, the New York Rangers are currently #1 in the NHL in faceoff percentage. Last year they were middle of the pack, tied for 19th. The year prior, they were 24th, and in 2020-21 they were dead last. What changed, and how has it led to winning more faceoffs?
Michael Peca
The coach tasked with faceoffs for the Rangers is Michael Peca. He had a similar turnaround with the Washington Capitals a few years back. So, what is he doing?
Building and tapping into a database of opposing centers
Reviews all faceoff videos of his own centers
Looking at percentages in detail… forehand vs. backhand & strong vs. weak side
Peca has regular conversations with his centers about what the opponents are likely to do. He’s also looking into when his players have success.
For example, Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov was successful in taking draws on his backhand and, like many other centers, was much worse on his forehand. It was decided that Kuznetsov would only try to win pucks on his backhand, regardless of the side of the ice in which the faceoff took place.
Strong Side Faceoffs
A ‘strong side faceoff ‘ is a right-handed shot center on the right side of the ice or a left-handed player on the left side of the ice. The strong-side center is generally attempting to pull the puck backward using their backhand toward the wall/board side. The wall is considered the safe spot and where centers, particularly in the defensive zone, are usually attempting to snap the puck.
Weakside faceoffs have centers trying to win the faceoff with their forehand toward the boards where it’s difficult to push the puck back toward their defensemen.
Flipping Sticks for Always Strong Side
Getting back to the Rangers, if a right-handed center is on the left side of the ice (like Mika Zibanejad below), they’ll switch handedness over to look like a left-handed center. They’ll attempt to pull the puck back, just like when on their strong side. Effectively, the center is attempting to have a strong-side faceoff regardless of the faceoff location.
There is solid fundamental leverage in this approach and also a hidden benefit of the curve cupping around the puck.
The NHL Network did an excellent piece on the Rangers approach.
History & Future
There have been other examples in the past, but have mainly been a player specifically attempting the flipped-handedness tactic.
This is the first time that I am aware of an NHL team attempting the tactic with their entire roster. So far, so good.
If this keeps going, you’d expect more players and teams to follow the Rangers’ lead.
Further Reading
Faceoffs: Watching The Official's Hand To Get An Edge On Winning Draws
Line Changing and Faceoff Logistics During a Stoppage In-Play