James Reimer Breaks Down 5-on-3 Tactics
With James Reimer
San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer walks you through video of a 3-on-1 down low after a turnover at the blue line while killing a 5-on-3, and explains what your first priority should be when managing a lateral play with a one-timer option.
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We already had James Reimer do Pro Reads with the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes jersey, and each time he was traded shortly after recording those sessions. So, while it was nice to catch up and review some San Jose Sharks footage, we hope we didn’t jinx it.
Regardless of the jersey, and whether it changes between the time we sit down for these video review sessions and when they run, Reimer remains a favorite in this format, with great insights into developing plays and a willingness to admit when he got something wrong.
THE SEQUENCE
Reimer’s latest Pro Read features a 5-on-3 against the Edmonton Oilers, and a keep in at the blue line that quickly turns into a 3-on-1 down low for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins:
Looking at the freeze frame above, can you already anticipate what comes next? What signs are you looking for to make that read? Is Nugent-Hopkins dangerous from there? What about the Oilers forward coming out from behind the net to Reimer’s right?
THE SAVE
Watch the save(s) footage and see if your guess was right:
Watching that play out, what do you make of Reimer’s depth decision? Assuming you guessed right and anticipated that Leon Draisaitl one-timer after a cross-ice pass from Nugent-Hopkins, do you think Reimer could have cheated this a little and grabbed more ice?
THE PRO READ
Let’s check in with Reimer to find out how he saw things, and why he played it this way:p>
Watch James Reimer break down the full video for you
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- James Reimer breaks down his save on a Leon Draisaitl one-timer during a 5-on-3 powerplay for the Edmonton Oilers, where a blue-line keep-in rapidly became a 3-on-1 down low.
- On a 5-on-3, Reimer plays deeper than normal, which requires sharper angle discipline and earlier puck tracking to compensate for the reduced space to challenge.
- Reimer identifies eyes as the first priority in his movement sequence: 'If you are looking at it, then at least you...' — early visual tracking before committing to any movement.
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