8 set faceoff plays NHL teams use on the penalty kill (VIDEOS)

When your team is on the penalty kill, you want to spend the least amount of time in your own zone as possible since you are a player short. On every faceoff, you have the chance to win it and clear the puck 200 feet or, lose the draw and start defending in your zone.

That’s why it’s important to have a plan. If you prepare your players, you will spend less time defending in your own zone.

Now, having a plan is one thing, but making sure your players execute the strategy to control the puck off the draw makes the job of penalty killers a lot easier. It’s the difference between having the puck for the first 10-15 seconds or chasing it for half of your shift.

Here are eight variations of the most common faceoff plays used during the 2019 NHL playoffs.

1. The 3-1 formation

Boston and Tampa Bay are well known for using this faceoff formation.

Some coaches call it the shotgun, it has a defenceman on the wall and a defenceman behind the centre, and if you win the draw, it’s an easy clear. The defenceman on the wall and the winger have to block the opponent to make it happen.

Be careful on a loose draw, if the opponent wins the battle on the wall, passes for a D to D, it’s a long way to go for both defencemen. You can always send your centre or winger to pressure the puck carrier.

2. Three players up, D to D

On this faceoff alignment, you will have a defenceman on the wall, centre on centre, a winger on the hash mark in the middle, and your second D will be right below him.

• See also:
  • 7 set faceoff plays NHL teams use on the power play (VIDEOS)
  • Using neutral zone tactics to create controlled zone entries
  • 3 shot deception techniques every player should know about

Mitch Giguere

Mitch Giguere ChPC, is the father of four children and a passionate hockey coach. Assistant Coach for Wheeling Nailers in the ECHL. 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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