Cam Talbot Pro Reads 8
Identifying Options (without Cheating) and using Motion on PK
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THE SEQUENCE
This is a penalty kill sequence against the Montreal Canadiens, with the puck down low, rookie of the year winner Lane Hutson at the point and several passing options:
We already told you Hutson is at the point, which is a tip that’s where the puck ends up. But as it is played behind the net, what information are you trying to gather here about the players in the freeze frame above on this power play unit?
Why might it matter once that puck does get sent up to the right point?
THE SAVE
Now watch the complete save video, pausing it when the puck goes to Hutson and asking yourself the same questions about why that early information matters?
When you watch the replays, pay attention to how Talbot comes across.
Can you see why it was important to gather information about the pass options before it was passed up to Hutson? Did you notice Talbot’s look off the puck?
What did you make of Talbot’s decision to slide across rather than beating that pass on his skates? With Patrick Laine above the face-off dot to receive the pass, is it one you would prefer to beat across without sliding? Can you see why Talbot did slide?
THE PRO READ
Now let’s hear from Talbot as he shares his thoughts on this power play:
Watch Cam Talbot break down the full video for you
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- Cam Talbot breaks down his penalty kill save against the Montreal Canadiens, with Lane Hutson distributing from the point and multiple one-timer threats active.
- Talbot identified Laine and Caufield as right-handed one-timer threats early — before the puck left the zone behind the net — so he already knew the pass destination and shot type when Hutson received it.
- Because both threats were right-handed shooters on the same side, Talbot chose to slide across rather than skate to the pass, a decision driven by the pre-read rather than reaction.
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