The 2021-2022 NHL season is already over and I don’t know about you, but I feel sad. I feel empty knowing there’s no more hockey coming up before September. Watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs is something that I am looking for every single year. Hockey is not the same when the playoffs start. Rules are not the same, and the list of all the injuries after each round is crazy. How can they even play?
I could have done so many breakdowns on the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but I narrowed it down to five key points I noticed.
Forecheck Colorado
How fast was Colorado? That was the question everyone wanted to know. The Avs put on a clinic against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the final on how to forecheck. Two years ago, that was the Lightning, who was the best team on the forecheck. What happened with Colorado is that everyone knew what to do and when to do it, and everyone was doing it. They were so relentless. From the first line to the fourth line, the skilled players to the grinders. Notice how they hunt the puck, not only F1 or F2, but even F3 in the offensive zone. If you limit the time and space on the opponent, you will be able to create a lot of turnovers. Adding the defencemen having the green light to pinch, all the teams struggled against Colorado and they’re forecheck. This video is only a small glimpse, but it has been like this since Game 1. First on the puck, second quick, F3 supporting, F1 and F2 reloading through the middle, winning battles, body position. All the details matter and everyone can teach at every level.
When your Superstars start blocking the shots
It will be interesting now to see how other NHL teams copycat Colorado's recipe for success . . . SEE MORE OF THE COACHES SITE Join The Coaches Site to access the latest drills, tactics & leadership lessons from hockey's top coaches. Already a member? Login
Mitch Giguere
Mitch Giguere ChPC, is the father of four children and a passionate hockey coach. Assistant Coach for Carabins Université de Montréal (USports W). Former Assistant and Video Coach in the KHL. Mitch has his High Performance 2 from Hockey Canada and has an Advanced Coaching Diploma (NCCP4) from the Canadian Sports Institute. You can reach out to Mitch via email at [email protected] or SMS 450-578-1187
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