Possession v. Transition: A Left Brain Look

1214 Grade A Scoring Chance Study

Scoring Chance Definitions  Possession opportunities: controlled possession in all 3 zones; 1 st touch on breakout, deep NZ regroup or any attempt to delay the advancement of the puck  Transition opportunities: pucks gained by taking possession through defense with anticipation and movement to offense upon recovery of the puck.

Total Grade A Scoring Chances 1214 Transition 59% (613) Possession 41% (493) D Zone O Zone N Zone D Zone O Zone N Zone 35% 30% 61% 27% 12% 35%

Offensive Zone Neutral Zone Defensive Zone Possession Offense

“The puck moves from stick to stick and team to team. More than six times a minute, more than 120 times a period, it changes possession. Physically contested all over the ice, the game is in constant transition. Patterns disrupt and break apart, moods skip, unsettled in one, on to the next, spiraling higher. Three quick strides, coast and turn, and turn again, and stop; three more quick strides, a pass, checked, and three quick strides the other way. Fragments, hundreds of them, each looking the same, some going somewhere, most not, and as a player or fan you can never be sure which it will be.” - Ken Dryden, The Game

Number of Possession San Jose Sharks 176 possessions 45:29 min EVS 29 shots / 2 goal 14 Grade A scoring chances Los Angeles Kings 6 (Gm4) 177 possessions 45:29 min EVS 25 shots / 5 goal (ENG) 10 Grade A scoring chances Boston Bruins Detroit Red Wings 0 (Gm3) 179 possessions 49:38 min EVS 25 shots / 2 goal (ENG) 13 Grade A scoring chances 175 possessions 49:38 min EVS 17 shots / 0 goal 6 Grade A scoring chances

Offensive Zone Neutral Zone Defensive Zone Transition Offense

Offensive Zone Neutral Zone Defensive Zone Transition Time

Defensive Zone D-Zone Transition

Most Common DZT Situation Individual & Team Defensive Execution  end play – separation from puck w/ body or defensive stick  collapse – shrink zone defensively / cut off the top Goalie Rebound Missed Shot or Pass Offensive Blueline Play  blocked shot  mishandle or weakside low release

DZT Success Factors  Defensive Purpose – speed & efficiency  1 st Opportunity Out  Support - everyone is the way out  Vertical Speed - play fast  Stretch - offense Reads / anticipation  D active - create four man attacks  Confusion LRA Defence  Drive Net for Rebounds

Neutral Zone N-Zone Transition

Most Common NZT Situation Poor Passing & Receiving Execution Chip Out D-zone to Relieve Pressure Line Rush Against  D gap control  Reload - F3 position & track  OBL turnover System Structure   1-3-1

NZT Success Factors  1 st Pass Execution  quick up  indirect  Tag Up Attacks  weakside  middle  Support Speed & Anticipation  at the puck option  stretch option  D Active - up tight & jumping into holes

Offensive Zone O-Zone Transition

 Defensive Structure  balance  D up ice in position to pinch  Pressuring D-core Below GL  F1 creates a stall  poor D execution  Pucks Behind D - creating & obtaining 1 st Touch  Poor Goalie Handles  O-zone Hunt / Stay on the puck Most Common OZT Situation

F1 angles, pressure and separation Puck Placement - chip to pressure / possession F2, F3 up ice ready to pressure D up ice tight with F’s in position to pinch Quick Support to a stall/loose puck Create Offensive Triangle – find open holes OZT Success Factors

Defensive Fundamentals Ability to End the Play  stick position  angling  checking Defensive Stick Detail  contested passes  contested shots  physical & vision space Skating Speed & Agility Defensive Support

Offensive Fundamentals Passing & Receiving  accuracy  tight congested areas  under pressure  multiple angles Puck Support Skating Separation  cutbacks/escape in ozone  speed & quickness Strength & Poise Over Puck  edges  stick

No Dust 2 Shot

LRA “Track” NZT

Tight Area 2v2 Transition

4v5 D-Zone Transition

Lemaire 2v2 Transition