Frederik Andersen Managing Depth and Anticipation Against a 2-on-0
With Frederik Andersen
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InGoal Magazine went more than three years between Frederik Andersen appearances in Pro Reads before his return in March, and we didn’t want to wait any longer for his second entry, especially coming off a dominant first round playoff performance.
The Carolina Hurricanes veteran is no stranger to this format. Andersen was one of the first NHL goalies to sit down for these video reviews way back when he played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and has done 15 such breakdowns since — six in-person with Toronto and another eight over Zoom in Carolina before this latest locker room sit down. Soft spoken but insightful, Andersen was a fast favorite in the format, so we’re excited to add to that total.
THE SCENARIO
Andersen is facing a near 2-on-0 off a center ice face-off against the Anaheim Ducks:
As Troy Terry reaches for the puck and Frank Vatrano races to the back post in the freeze frame above, what information are you gathering? Right away, are you thinking pass or shot?
What do you make of Andersen’s positioning — in terms of depth, angle and squareness — at this point? Would you be stressing square to the shooter here? Why or why not?
If that pass is made, are you sliding or trying to get across on your skates? Why?
The Save
Of course, speed matters on a rush chance, so watch the entire sequence and replays in real time to see if it played out as you expected, and ask yourself those same questions:
At what point did you identify with certainty whether he was passing or shooting?
What did you make of Andersen’s retreat, both in terms of his path and getting flat and he moved back into his crease? Is it clear to you why he might flatten out on this play?
THE PRO READ
Now let’s hear Andersen’s thoughts on how he played this rush chance:
The key is not committing to that pass too soon because a player like Terry, on his forehand, is good enough to recognize a cheating goalie and expose him on the short side.
Andersen's own words on what he was thinking as Terry reached for the puck — and the specific phrase he uses to describe exactly when he knew it was safe to move — are in the breakdown below.
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- Andersen breaks down his save on a near 2-on-0 rush off a center ice face-off against the Anaheim Ducks, featuring Troy Terry and Frank Vatrano.
- Andersen held his commitment to the shot threat until he could clearly read Terry closing his blade, knowing that a skilled player on his forehand can elevate the puck to the short side if the goalie cheats early.
- His retreat path and deliberate flattening out in the crease were intentional — positioning himself for a simpler rotational push across to the right side if the pass was made.
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