Alex Lyon Pro Reads 3
Playing off ‘Human Nature’ on Pass-or-Shoot Rush Chances
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Alex Lyon was so insightful on the InGoal Radio Podcast earlier this summer and has been just as thoughtful with the advice offered through his first two Pro Reads (links below), which includes a deep dive on how altering the length of your toe ties can also widen your butterfly. With tips like that, we didn’t want to wait too long to go back to Lyon for a third entry from his extended video breakdown session.
THE SEQUENCE
Lyon is facing his previous team, the Florida Panthers, and an in-zone rush type of chance created by a Detroit Red Wings turnover inside their own end:
As we already mentioned, this play comes off a turnover inside the Detroit end, resulting in Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour skating into the dot with the puck on his forehand and forward Sam Bennett cutting to the net on his left.
What about that information is most relevant in your mind?
Are you thinking pass or shot? More importantly, why?
Any thoughts on Lyon’s positioning at this point?
THE SAVE
Even though this happens in-zone, it’s clearly more of a rush style scoring chance — pretty much a 2-on-1, really — so the speed of the attack matters when it comes to depth as a goalie. Watch it in real time below and ask yourself the same questions:
Were you able to correctly anticipate a pass from the freeze frame? If not, at what point in the save video, did you recognize it would be a pass across to Bennett?
Watch it again and see if you can identify when Lyon recognizes it? Can you see what he does he do to prepare for that pass across? Any thoughts on the recovery?
THE PRO READ
Now let’s hear from Lyon as he shares his thoughts on how to play this situation:
Watch Alex Lyon break down the full video for you
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- Alex Lyon breaks down his save on a 2-on-1 rush against the Florida Panthers, where Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour carries into the dot with forward Sam Bennett cutting to the net.
- Lyon explains he plays off human nature on the 2-on-1, knowing the puck carrier faces strong social and tactical pressure to pass rather than shoot in that situation.
- Lyon shares specific mechanical keys to his push across and save execution on the cross-ice pass recovery.
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