Casey DeSmith ProRead 1
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Casey DeSmith has not just been one of the best backups and value contracts in the NHL since signing with the Dallas Stars before last season.
DeSmith has been one of the best goalies in the League since then.
Since signing a three-year, $3-million free agent deal — and that’s $3 million total, not per season — the 34-year-old has an adjusted save percentage of plus-1.3%, according to Clear Sight Analytics, which ranks fifth in the NHL, just slightly behind Connor Hellebuyck (plus-1.4%). DeSmith was kind enough to sit down with InGoal after a recent morning skate to share some of the tactical and technical cues that have allowed him to play so well during this Pro Reads video breakdown session.
THE SEQUENCE
DeSmith is facing a rush zone entry against the Edmonton Oilers led by the always dangerous Leon Draisaitl in his Pro Reads debut:
Who are the most dangerous players in the screencap above, with Draisaitl pulling up along the half wall? What do you make of DeSmith’s depth and stance here?
A little more than a second later and looking at the second freeze frame (above), has your answer about the most dangerous player changed?
Again, what do you notice about DeSmith’s depth at this point?
If Draisaitl does go cross-ice to Jack Roslovic, are you skating or sliding across? Why?
THE SAVE
Watch the save below keeping those same three questions in mind:
What stood out to you about the way DeSmith played this cross-ice pass?
What did you make of the almost half drop of the left pad coming across?
Can you think of a reason for it?
THE PRO READ
Now let’s hear from DeSmith on how he saw and managed this rush:
Watch Casey DeSmith break down the full video for you
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- DeSmith breaks down his save on a Leon Draisaitl rush zone entry against the Edmonton Oilers, including a cross-ice pass to Jack Roslovic.
- DeSmith's first technical point focuses on a depth position he was already in before the Oilers crossed the blue line — a setup phase never visible in the save clip itself.
- DeSmith explains the near-half drop of his left pad during his cross-ice slide, identifying the specific mechanical reason behind that movement.
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