Space & Pace
Get the puck to Space to take advantage of the Pace.
This week's video is all about putting pucks to space for players that are carrying a high pace through the neutral zone. This clip from the New York Rangers vs Calgary Flames game on Monday night (which could be considered the game of the year so far this season) is a great example of using the space behind the opposition to get the puck to a teammate that is skating through the neutral zone with an unmatched rate of speed in order to create an advantageous offensive situation. In the clip, Kaapo Kakko gets the puck on the wall during the breakout and sees his center option, Filip Chytil flying through the middle after accelerating from the bottom of his own defensive zone faceoff circle. Kakko wants to get the puck to Chytil, but a direct pass is not an option, so he makes a great read to get the puck to space behind Nikita Zadorov to allow Chytil to skate onto the puck while continuing to accelerate. This allows Chytil to use his speed advantage and ultimately capitalize on the resulting 2-on-1 with a great shot off the rush.
Putting pucks to space is both a great recognition skill and high-level puck skill. It must be practiced. Indirect passes, puck placements, chips, and aerials are often the neglected puck skills in a developing players toolbox. Be sure to work on those tools to be a more effective player to excel in those game situations in which they are required.
Space & Pace - get the puck to Space to take advantage of the Pace!
