Zone Entry 101: Gaining Depth
Building off of last week’s release on carries vs dump-ins, let’s dive into zone entry tactics.
There are a few items that lead to greater success rates on offensive zone (OZ) entries… middle entries, diagonal routes, playing with control, etc. Yet, no matter the entry, the most important element remains the same… gaining depth into the zone. This is even true on a dump-in entry.
This depth creates challenges and questions for the defense to answer.
Off-Puck Importance
Everyone talks about the passer being the genius when talking about playmaking.
But we suggest that the real genius is the pass receiver and their movement away from the puck. Without it, team play breaks down. The movement away from the puck makes the play possible.
Game 3 of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Final was full of perfect examples of this movement to gain depth on OZ entries.
1-0 Avalanche
With a power play, the Colorado Avalanche are deadly in executing precise zone entries. Watch how Nathan MacKinnon drives through the neutral zone (NZ) with a positive speed differential before entering the zone and dishing the puck just as he enters the OZ. He continues deep and pushes the defender back.
Gabriel Landeskog, the recipient of MacKinnon’s pass at the blue line, moves the puck to high support with a bank pass off the boards, then continues his route to the net and ends up with a goal in the crease.
1-1 Tie
On the equalizer, Anthony Cirelli gains possession and sprints up the dot-lane. As he enters the zone, he gives a kick-out pass to his support while he continues to drive deep into the zone with speed.
The defender that was covering him, Cale Makar, now latches onto the new puck possessed, Pat Maroon, which opens up space behind him. Cirelli makes the play by continuing his route deeper into the OZ.
The puck ends up scoring off the goalie’s push leg.
2-1 Lightning
Nikita Kucherov doesn’t get rewarded with a point on the play but plays a major role in the goal. While Ondrej Palat enters the offensive zone, Kucherov drives a wedge between the defenders and takes the weakside defenseman, Makar, with him. There is real genius in Kucherov’s routes.
The backchecking forward, Mikko Rantanen, is now responsible for the area of the ice and misses his assignment due to a little overbackcheck and puck gravity.
3-1 Lightning
The Lightning used a hard rim to dump the puck in the zone. Core Perry races deep into the zone to pressure the ‘D’. The pressure causes a turnover off a failed reverse. A quick pass to the slot for a goal.
3-2 Lightning
As withColorado’s first goal, MacKinnon’s power play entry is the real key. Like we covered with Dylan Larkin, he circles back below the level of the puck and picks up a massive speed differential utilizing linear crossovers. This threat drives back the PK and allows for the Avalanche to establish clean possession immediately.
4-2 Lightning
Kucherov skates hard off a broken play to carry into the zone. He uses a kick-out pass and continues to drive deep into the zone. His momentum allows a puck recovery and escapes from pressure.
Steven Stamkos catches the pass and showcases excellent shooting technique (Body shape and downforce).
5-2 Lightning
Line changes and turnovers and the best times to “play fast.” Maroon pins to the far blueline as the Avalanche go for a change. Kucherov swings toward the puck side.
Maroon uses the bank pass as the cleanest pass to Kucherov. After the pass, Maroon churns his feet to gain depth. He pivots so he’s always facing the puck and ready for a pass reception. The defender slows up to address the threat of Kucherov and leaves space behind for Maroon to exploit.
The Lightning added a late power-play goal to finish the scoring and win the game 6-2.
Conclusion
When it comes to creating offense, the most important thing within any offensive zone entry is depth into the offensive zone.
If you want to create more off of offensive zone entries, gain depth.
Further Reading:
Finding was to get more touches and improve puck touches via great puck acquisition habits
Finding ways to make space for yourself and teammates by false movement
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