‘Top Rectangle’ Depth and Low-High Edges with Dylan Garand

THE SEQUENCE

Garand is dealing with two elements on this play, first a rush-style chance off an in-zone turnover, and then an in-tight play below the goal line with a pass option:

Starting with the rush component, that’s Brandon Hagel (above) with the puck cutting into the middle and Nikita Kucherov loading up a one-timer to his right.

Seeing that freeze frame, what stands out to you about Garand’s depth and stance? Those are two elite players attacking off the rush, so ask yourself if you’d do anything different? More ice perhaps? Why or why not? A more ready stance? Again, why?

Fast forward a bit and now it’s Kucherov with the puck down below the goal line just outside the trapezoid, with Hagel and Nick Paul out front. What do you make of Garand holding his edges at this point? Would you be down in the reverse-VH already? Again, try to walk through the options and ask yourself why?

THE SAVE

Now watch the entire sequence, keeping those same questions in mind:

What stood out about the way Garand handles the first pass off the rush?

What about the second chance in tight?

Would you have done anything different? It’s OK to say yes. Garand talks about other options and different ways to play this himself. The key is knowing why you might handle it different and thinking your way through that process.

THE PRO READ

Now let’s hear how Garand saw and managed both plays: