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James Reimer Pro-Read
Pro Reads

James Reimer Pro-Read

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With James Reimer

Pre-shot Faceoff Reads and Shoot-Pass Decisions

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James Reimer is back for another in-person Pro Reads from our visit in Kelowna this summer at the NET360 Goalie Camp, and just as he did in sessions while with the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes, Reimer doesn’t disappoint breaking down San Jose Sharks footage.

THE SEQUENCE

Reimer’s latest Pro Read features a 5-on-5 in-zone faceoff against the Vegas Golden Knights, which is a great time to go over your pre-faceoff checklist and compare it to his:

James Reimer in teal Sharks gear set in his crease watching a defensive zone faceoff during an NHL game.

What information are you looking for first in the above scenario? Are you telling your wingers anything based on what you see in terms of making sure you get coverage help?

James Reimer #41 in teal Sharks gear reads a faceoff play in his crease as traffic builds in front during an NHL game.

As the play develops off the draw and Vegas forward Jonathan Marchessault cuts into the slot on his backhand in the freeze frame above, who do you think is the most dangerous player?

With his own defender in front of him, what do you make of Reimer’s decision to hold on the short side of this screen, especially given the passing option? With Marchessault on his back hand, would you consider hedging to the middle, on the other side of that screen?

THE SAVE

Watch the save footage and see if what you anticipated was how it played out:

Watching that play out, what do you make of Reimer’s decision to stay short side on the screen before Marchessault passes? Any reason you can see for making sure he didn’t try to go sooner or hedge towards that passing option? Anything you’d do different? (It’s okay, Reimer talks through the things he’d like to have done differently but it may not be what you think).

THE PRO READ

Let’s check in with Reimer to find out how he saw things, and why he played it this way:

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Key Takeaways
  • James Reimer breaks down his save on a 5-on-5 in-zone faceoff against the Vegas Golden Knights, with Jonathan Marchessault cutting into the slot on his backhand.
  • Reimer identifies one-timer options at the point as the first priority on a pre-faceoff checklist — before reading defender positioning or communicating with wingers.
  • Reimer explains his decision to hold the short side of a screen rather than hedge toward the passing option, and walks through what he would have done differently.

More James Reimer on InGoal

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