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Breakaway Tips with NHL All-Stars

By Blake Schuster, Special to Minnesota Hockey, 11/08/16, 10:30AM CST

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Breakaways: the most exciting play in hockey. Whenever a player springs loose into the offensive zone, all alone against the goaltender, everyone gets on their feet. Whether it’s a big goal or a huge save, the momentum swing is palpable.

So how do you create and take advantage of the most exciting play in hockey? 

We caught up with NHL all-stars T.J. Oshie, Patrick Kane and Ben Bishop to learn just that.

Creating the Breakaway

The NHL’s reigning MVP, Kane, has always been a nuisance to defend in the neutral zone. It’s near center ice where he looks to weave through defensive pairs without the puck to create odd-man chances. 

Kane’s key is to stay in motion, preparing him to receive a quick headman pass. 

“The biggest thing to get breakaways is speed,” Kane said. “So if you can keep that anticipation up and keep your feet moving through the puck when you get the pass, or steal a puck, whatever it may be, you might have a chance to get in and score one.”

Once you receive the pass, Oshie says it’s important to know who’s around you on the ice. Do you have teammates nearby to help? Are defensemen already closing in? Can you get a shot off?

If you’re unsure, odds are you only have one option.

“Take a quick look and skate as hard as you can,” said Oshie, the former Warroad star. “If they catch you just try to improvise from there.”

Every breakaway can feel a bit different from previous chances. You can have a new idea pop into your head or stick with a reliable move. Still, there’s one constant Kane goes to.

“You always want to have the puck in a shooting position in case you want to shoot,” Kane said. “If not, you can deke after that.”

Shoot or Deke

Both Kane and Oshie agree that what comes next is based on feel. Still, they recommend being ready to shoot while considering your options.

“Make sure you’re not rushing too much or getting too antsy when you get the puck,” Kane said. “If you can come in at that moment and be patient with it, maybe make a move after the goalie makes his first move, you’ll have a good chance of scoring.” 

Added Oshie: “My biggest advice is to fake your shot how you would normally shoot for as long as you can without actually releasing the puck. After that the goalie should be frozen and you get to pick which way you want to go.”

Even as someone who has scored many different ways in his career, Kane agrees that if you have a move that’s working, stick with it. Simplicity on breakaways isn’t a bad thing. 

“Sometimes the best thing to do is just look at an open hole and shoot it,” Kane said. “If not you can pull it to your backhand, try to pull it upstairs or plenty of other moves once you have the puck in a shooting position.” 

Stopping the Shooter

Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop has faced more than his share of breakaways. In learning how to turn away those shots, one of the keys he says is to limit their options by coming out to challenge the shooter.

Don’t make it easy on them by giving them a big target to shoot at.

“You’ve got to try to have a good gap,” Bishop said. "You don’t want to be too close to where he can go around you.”

Controlling the gap helps goalie become an active participant in the play rather than simply reactionary. It can give goalies more time to study the shooter’s eyes and body language to see what type of move they might go for. It can also exploit a shooter’s weakness and force them too close to the net, allowing the goalie to take control.

“When they get close, you can kind of make your first move,” Bishop said. “Other than that, you want to be just as patient as possible.” 

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