Route to the Back Post - Asking Difficult Questions of the Defense
Crosby’s Hidden Net Angle: Forcing the Defender's Choice and the Goalie’s Blind Spot
Earlier this year, Sidney Crosby scored another one of his signature forehand tips at the side of the net. What was special was how he decided to route to that side of the net. Crosby exploits the defender’s tendency to protect the net front.
He was battling a defender on the opposite side of the net when he banked the puck up high in the offensive zone. He then went behind the net rather than going to the front of the net… curious decision as most players want to get net front for a screen or tip.
Defender’s Dilemma
A chasing defender is an advantage to the offense… leaving the front of the net and going behind the net is another risky proposition for a defender. Two reasons why the defender would always want to skate net front.
Crosby simply routes himself behind the net in a way that the defender must decide between chasing him behind the net or skating to the front of the net instead to maintain the “gut”/middle of the ice.
The defender’s decision to prioritize front-crease protection created the space where Crosby’s scoring seam emerged.
Goalie’s Read
Another advantage is the loss of vision from the goaltender. It is easy to track players in front of you, but not behind you. The loss of vision on Crosby by the goalie makes it even harder to read the situation and position well to make a save.
Crosby shows how the net can be used for manipulating defensive coverage. The net disrupts the defender’s ability to easily contain an opponent and asks a question that puts the defender in a terrible spot while being extremely difficult on the goalie as well.
Further Reading