The Moving Screen
Use timing and motion for a more effective screen.
This week's clip is all about the teamwork and timing of using a moving screen to generate offense by one of the top 3 offensive teams in the NHL (at the time of posting), the New Jersey Devils...yes, the Devils. We have done an entire video previously on using the screen from the shooter's perspective (watching this one from the shooter's perspective is just as enjoyable and impressive). However, we look at this one primarily from the lens of the net front player (Nathan Bastian) and opposing goaltender (Jake Allen).
We see the same play from the Devils Power Play twice in the clip. Getting the puck to go from the half wall, up to the top, and over to Jack Hughes on the high roll with his forehand downhill with a shot mentality. On both plays, Bastian is looking to provide a moving screen in which he times his push across the line of sight of Allen just as Hughes releases the puck. This makes Allen get set with one point of view prior to release. Then Bastian takes that POV away from him with his quick slide that disrupts his vision. While both attempts are effective (Allen doesn't see either release), the second attempt after puck recovery results in a goal when Hughes hits his target.
This tactic can be superior to a stationary screen because the goalie can work to get his vision around a set screen to find the release. A moving screen disrupts that process and puts the goalie into a moment of guessing in the dark. This is clearly a set play for the Devils, and one that Hughes and Bastian have worked on to develop the timing. However, the moving screen can be utilized in all other offensive situations by the net front player or the high player in a "layered" / "doubled" screen. Bastian deserves a point on this one even though he won't get one on the scoresheet.
