Hockey Tactics 2024: the perfect playoff companion
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Understand key tactical matchups as you watch the game
The Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs first-round encounter promises to be another street fight.
It’s also a battle of two remarkably similar teams.
The Bruins have superior goaltending and a more reliable penalty kill. The Leafs’ forward group is deeper and its top powerplay unit is better than ever.
But both BOS and TOR’s 5v5 gameplans are predicated on timely player/puck movement on offense, and zonal coverage on defense (with some man-on-man elements for the Leafs).
BOS OZ Possession vs. TOR DZ Coverage
Toronto uses a hybrid DZC with man-on-man pressure following faceoff losses.
Against sustained possession, however, TOR backs off into zone coverage.
And then the Bruins feast.
Watch clips:
Notice how BOS players move between defenders to force defensive switches and open passing lanes. This is a Bruins hallmark under coach Jim Montgomery.
Meanwhile, TOR skaters look slow and disengaged as the puck zips between them, leading to chances against.
BOS Entry Delay vs. TOR Return to DZ
The Bruins adeptly employ delays off OZ entries to find gaps in coverage. Leafs players are caught flat-footed.
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It’s difficult for defenders to get into man-on-man coverage in a return to DZ scenario, especially if they start in a loose gap and can’t close before the puck carrier makes his move.
TOR OZ Faceoff Win vs. BOS DZ FO Loss
Turnabout is fair play. TOR can run the same OZP and entry patterns against the Bruins’ zone defense.
It can also use high-to-low (downhill) player movement off an OZ faceoff win to create mismatches near the net.
Watch clips:
Boston enters the series as the favorite, having swept the regular season meetings 4-0.
However, Toronto can gain the upper hand by leveraging their superior depth and playing a more physically demanding man defense when appropriate During the regular season, Boston struggled most against Carolina and the New York Rangers, the two Eastern Conference teams that defend man-on-man, not zone.