Jake Allen: Post Integration and Patience vs. Jonathan Toews
With Jake Allen
We look at three different scenarios in one save sequence as we learn how Allen reads to chances against the Blackhawks Captain.
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Today we welcome back Jake Allen for the third of several Pro Reads after the St. Louis Blues stopper sat down with us for more than an hour to review video. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out Allen’s first two Pro Reads, which started with Allen facing multiple deflections through traffic and some sound advice on how to find and choose your lanes around screens, and continued with him staring down Patrick Kane from the faceoff circle.
Like his first two Pro Reads segments, this one also involves the Chicago Blackhawks, but this time Allen walks us through video of a multi-faceted sequence that includes his approach to post integration in two different situations: one behind the net and another above the goal line (and, as he notes makes a difference, one on his glove side and another from his blocker side).
The Scenario(s)
This two-part sequence touches on a bit of everything: the use of both a traditional VH, or one-pad down, and the reverse-VH technique that has long since replaced it as the preferred method of most; stick placement on both sides; a walkout on one side with a backdoor threat and a wraparound on the other; and lessons on the importance of holding your edges.
Before we get to the play and the Pro Read in full, let’s take a look at three freeze frames:
Brandon Saad (20) is directly behind the net at this point but was driving through the crease as linemates Jonathan Toews and Dominik Kubalik battled for the puck in the corner. Taking a look at this still image and thinking of how this play developed, ask yourself if you would still be on your skates or perhaps have already dropped into the reverse-VH against your post. Any particular reasons for one or the other based on where everyone is?
Now take a look at Toews cutting in from the other side. Consider that he is attacking after a turnover and cutting down the wall with the puck. Look at his pass options and the defensive coverage. Same question: How would you have played this given the information in front of you? Perhaps more importantly, why? Have you factored in Toews hand position?
Speaking of Toews and hand position, when you see the hands of the Blackhawks captain in this final freeze frame above, what are you thinking? Shot or pass? We know few of you have had a chance to experience a Toews shot in person (and for our more than two-dozen subscribers still playing in, or recently retired from, the NHL, you can put your hands down now), but based on his hand position, what do you know about his likely ability to shoot from here? Does it affect how you might consider playing this shot? Does it change based on Saad’s position?
The Save
Now let’s take a look at the entire save sequence on video:
Did that match your expectations based on the three freeze frames?
As you watch those two very different plays unfold, did the answers change on any of the above questions in terms of how you would play that situation and why?
Now let’s listen to Allen break down the video for us.
The Pro-Read
Watch Jake Allen break down the full video for you
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- Jake Allen breaks down a two-part sequence against Jonathan Toews and the Blackhawks, covering post integration decisions on both his glove side and blocker side.
- Allen explains why glove-side and blocker-side post situations call for different techniques — including when to use a traditional VH versus a reverse-VH — based on where skaters are positioned relative to the net.
- Holding your edges is a key factor Allen identifies in managing both a backdoor walkout threat and a wraparound attempt within the same sequence.
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