Read a PK like a book

WPG has the NHL's #1 powerplay. Here's how it problem-solved OTT's penalty kill.

The Winnipeg Jets beat the Ottawa Senators 4-2 last night.

Here’s the winning goal, a Gabe Vilardi powerplay tally set up by Nikolaj Ehlers.

After the game, WPG beat report Murat Ates relayed some of Ehlers’ thoughts on the goal.

I rewatched Vilardi’s goal clip several times in an attempt to identify the defensive tendencies that Ehlers and his linemates were able to exploit.

As I wrote during preseason, OTT employs a 1-2-1 Diamond PK structure (read more about it here). A well-executed Diamond can neutralize a 1-3-1 PP, which WPG and most of the NHL defaults to. However, it is also vulnerable to the quick down-and-over play that the Jets ran on the Vilardi goal.

Twelve Seconds Before Goal

WPG wins the OZ faceoff and immediately attempts the down-and-over play. OTT28 Claude Giroux, an underrated PKer due to his high-end offensive IQ, anticipates the play and collapses to the back post to cover WPG13 Vilardi.

Every other OTT skater maintains his usual assignment.

The puck goes down to WPG27 Ehlers at the goal line. He tries to jam the puck in but the Sens goalie is tight to the post.

Five Seconds Before Goal

The Jets recover the puck after Ehlers’ attempt and begin to pick apart OTT’s structure.

To make the ideal play possible, WPG will need to disrupt OTT85 Jake Sanderson (D1/strong-side defenseman) and OTT28 Giroux (F2/weak-side forward).

To keep the Sanderson on the move, WPG81 Kyle Connor and WPG44 Josh Morrissey exchange the puck, knowing that Sanderson will have to sprint back and forth to cover passing lanes (to Ehlers at the goal line and WPG55 Mark Scheifele in the slot).

Meanwhile, Scheifele presents himself as a passing option, not because he wants the puck but rather to bait Giroux.

Two Seconds Before Goal

Moments later Winnipeg gets the look it wants.

Connor uses a head fake to move Sanderson’s stick out of the way.

Scheifele successfully pulls Giroux away from the net.

OTT23 Travis Hamonic understands that his F2 has overcommitted to the slot and starts to motion at Giroux to get back to the net.

Too late.

It’s Connor down, Ehler over and Vilardi into the back of the net.