The 2024-25 NHL regular season is upon us, which means that I’m beginning my research process for the upcoming Hockey Tactics 2025 ebook, which I am planning to release early next year.
I don’t put too much stock in preseason hockey. As my former TOR colleague Andrew Brewer puts it, “3/4 of (preseason) games involve NHL home teams vs. AHL visiting teams.”
However, every preseason exhibition is an opportunity for coaches to implement their preferred defensive schemes.
In the case of the Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators, their October 5th meeting is the final opportunity to fine-tune their essentially identical penalty kills before the regular season.
4v5 PK Forecheck: 1-3
Against MTL’s Double Drop PP breakout, OTT’s F1 pressures the drop pass and F2-D1-D2 build a wall at the blue line.
Against OTT’s stretch pass PP breakout, MTL’s F1 forces the pass recipient wide and his teammates link up to force a dump-in.
4v5 PK In-Zone: 1-2-1 Diamond
When well-executed, the Diamond PK is the optimal way to pressure 1-3-1 or 2-3 Umbrella PPs high in the zone. As the puck circulates between the point and flank players, F1, F2 and D1 are all within striking distance to force a turnover.
D2 has a difficult job. If his teammates are bypassed, he must make a quick read and either step up to cover the bumper or help the goalie on a net-front scramble.
Another downside of the 1-2-1 is its asymmetric nature. Depending on which side the PP opts to attack, the flank defender is either D1 or F2. Forwards are typically less proficient at flexing out, going stick-on-puck and blocking shots.
Here’s what I wrote about MTL’s exploitable PK in last season’s Hockey Tactics 2024.
Meanwhile the Senators played an old school 2-2 Box under interim coach Jacques Martin, with uneven results (mid-pack in shots and xG against, but 29th in goals against per hour). The arrival of goalie Linus Ullmark should have a positive impact.
MTL and OTT start the year as playoff hopefuls. Let’s see if their reliance on a Diamond + 1-3 forecheck combo helps them to the postseason.