Pro-Reads: Breakaway Tips with Freddie Andersen
Tips and tactics from one of the best breakaway goalies in the game
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Frederik Andersen continues to be one of the best goalies in the NHL this season, so we’re going back to the Carolina Hurricanes Vezina Trophy candidate for this week’s Pro Reads.
Andersen was the second NHL goalie ever to take part in Pro Reads, trailing only Carey Price with his video breakdown debut while with the Toronto Maple Leafs. But it had been 14 months between appearances in this space for Andersen, so we were excited to catch up with him excelling as the new No. 1 for the Hurricanes and to share this fresh film work.
THE SCENARIO
Andersen is facing Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanafin on a breakaway after being sent in alone by Johnny Gaudreau. It’s the perfect chance to talk about the tactics that have made Andersen one of the top goalies in the NHL this season against breakaways, which is important since only two goalies (Thatcher Demko and Andrei Vasilevsky) have faced more than his 58.
What do you think of Andersen’s position as Hanafin reaches the top of the faceoff circles above? Now take a look at Andersen’s positioning as Hanafin gets to the has marks:
Anything that jumps out at you as a good rule of thumb for managing breakaways?
THE SAVE
Of course, speed matters on a breakaway so let’s look at the entire sequence in real time:
Before Andersen shares his insights into breakaways, we’ll ask the same question as we did after the freeze frames: Are there any general guidelines you follow on breakaways that you can see being used here? Any key points for depth you noticed in Andersen’s approach?
THE PRO READ
Let’s hear from Andersen and get his breakdown on breakaways.
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- Andersen breaks down his breakaway save on Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Noah Hanifin, who was sprung alone by Johnny Gaudreau — one of 58 breakaways Andersen faced that season, the third-most in the NHL.
- Andersen's primary breakaway rule is matching the shooter's speed with initial depth — getting out far enough to pace the attacker without overcommitting or retreating too early.
- Andersen identifies two breakaway mistakes to avoid: being stuck out too far without mobility, and retreating prematurely before the shooter makes a decision.
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