Last week at the TCS Live Coaches’ Conference, I caught up with journalist Sean Shapiro. As we walked through downtown Ann Arbor, Michigan, Sean asked me about two seemingly contradictory teachings from NHL assistant coaches Mitch Love (WSH) and Ben Sexton (OTT), whose presentations he had just attended.
Love preached the importance of hiding one’s reach and not committing one’s stick too early when playing defense. Meanwhile, Sexton insisted on having sticks extended and in the lane when killing penalties.
It is obviously impossible to have one’s stick retracted and extended at the same time. However both approaches can be appropriate depending on the circumstances.
Snake in the Grass
Stick retracted & ready to extend to the puck
More useful against opponents carrying speed
Allows the defender to close with their feet into the No Escape Zone
Prevents smart attackers from using an offensive stick lift to win the engagement
Sets up a opportunity to go stick on puck aggressively
In the clip above, WSH38 Rasmus Sandin closes the distance to the puck carrier with his stick in a neutral position, then uses it to deceive and disrupt in an effort to break NYR’s cycle.
Scarecrow in the Field
Stick in the lane, extended toward the most dangerous area
More useful in-zone, against an extended possession
Makes the defender look bigger and more threatening than they are
Creates hesitancy in the mind of the puck carrier
Baits less-poised players into a suboptimal play (low % shot, turn to backhand, force pass into defensive stick, force pass toward teammate’s weaker side, etc)
After losing a DZ faceoff on the penalty kill, OTT28 Claude Giroux sprints toward the point with his stick already committed to a passing lane. Giroux knows he is unlikely to cause a turnover, so he puts his stick in the passing lane toward BOS’ right flank player. This prevents a quick two-pass combination into BOS88 Pastrnak’s left flank one timer threat.
Giroux’s decision influences the point man into passing to Pastrnak directly. The Bruins winger isn’t ready and has to rim the puck down, which takes valuable seconds off the clock.
The snake approach is more effective at 5v5, when the defending team has a relative advantage and looks to create turnovers. The scarecrow approach works better on the penalty kill, when buying time and forcing the PP away from its preferred in-zone plays taken precedence over getting the puck back at all costs.
This dichotomy illustrates one of many difficulties faced by prospects as they attempt to sustain a career at the NHL level. Not only will they need to master technique, but they’ll also have to learn the reasoning behind both defensive stick doctrines in order to make the right play at the right moment.
Put details in context with the Hockey Tactics 2024 ebook
Learn about Xs & Os visually, like NHL & other high-level players do.
Enjoy the fully illustrated ebook on your computer or tablet
Save it on your smartphone for reference on-the-go
Understand key tactical matchups as you watch the game