Devan Dubnyk Pro-Read – Poke Check 101 Part 2
Dubnyk looks at two more including his first Shark Attack in San Jose
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It made sense to for our first Pro Reads with Devan Dubnyk to feature a poke check against rush chances and breakaways given how frequently he executes them successfully.
In fact, Dubnyk is so proficient at this seemingly lost art of goaltending we had too many examples for just one Pro Reads session, so we split it into two parts. If you haven’t already read and watched the first entry from Dubnyk, we’d highly suggest doing so now.
In addition to identifying the elements of an attack that make it ripe for a surprise attack using the stick, Dubnyk broke down several keys to executing a poke check properly, including being honest about the examples where he maybe should have kept it in the holster. Those lessons continue with a couple more examples today, including his first with the San Jose Sharks.
The Scenario and Save
This chance against Calgary Flames forward Sean Monahan is different from the first two we examined in Dubnyk’s first Pro Reads. Instead of easily identifiable breakaways that start in the neutral zone, this one is created by a breakdown after the Flames cross the blue line on a power play, and the breakaway doesn’t start until Monahan is almost at the hash marks:
Watch Devan Dubnyk break down the full video for you
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- Devan Dubnyk breaks down his poke check save on Sean Monahan during a Flames power play, where the breakaway didn't develop until Monahan was nearly at the hash marks.
- Dubnyk identifies a late-developing breakaway as a 'perfect scenario' for a poke check precisely because the shooter is closer and has less time to react to an unexpected attack.
- A fully committed, head-first poke check leaves the goalie out of position for a rebound, so Dubnyk warns that going all-in requires accepting you will need help if the puck stays loose.
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