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Goal Analysis: Edmonton Goal (Nail Yakupov) #4 (01-26-2014)
Here we have all three Nashville forwards watching the puck and chasing down to the goal line...
At least one forward needs to stay above the hash marks or even up towards the top of the circle in a containing position.
*I highlighted the wrong guy; the one behind the net should be the one staying high in this case*
Now the situation appears to be a 3 on 2 with a backchecker. Notice hos this defenseman plays his position well...
...he appears to be leaving a path to the net, but as soon as the puck carrier takes the bait he will close the gap and attempt to surprise him.
...as you can see, his weight is mainly on his right foot. He is prepared to move explosively.
The carrier doesn't take the bait, though, and stays wide.
If what we're seeing here is all there is on the ice, this is a solid defense. However, there are players behind the play; trailers coming in.
This is actually a poor attack from the Oilers; all three players are in a straight line. Two defenders is plenty to cover this.
...any pass would need to go through two defenders and heavy pressure.
Instead of playing the third man singlemindedly, the backchecker needs to realize this and assess the threat that the trailers pose.
As we see here, Yakupov has managed to beat his counterpart in the foot race and is wide open for a shot.
All the Nashville defenders have chased their men down to the goal line. One even overskates his man, leaving two Oilers in rebound position.
Here we can clearly see the race in its entirety.
Look at this defender's head. He's not paying attention to the play at all. He is focused 100% on the man he's covering.
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