Goal Analysis: Riley Sheahan's First NHL Goal

Riley Sheahan scored his first NHL goal against the Kings last weekend. It's time we break it down (sorry for the delay, I was on vacation then got started watching a TV show on Netflix (not saying which one to avoid spoilers).

Let's check out the goal:



First NHL goals are the best.  Let the breakdown begin!

This play looks pretty simple to start.  The Wings have three players on the rush while the Kings have 2 d-men back and a forward (Richards) coming off the bench.  However, the Wings have Tatar, so yeah, I like where this is going.

Tatar chips the puck into the Kings zone.  They call this a "soft ship" because he wanted the puck to stay in the corner; keeps the goalie from playing it.  Souse executes this to perfection.  The Kings d-man (44) can't hold Tatar too long or get in his way, so our boy speeds past him to the corner and gets the puck.  Here's where the fun starts!

There's a lot going on in this frame.  Let's review the think black lines first.  These relate to which player each Kings player is going to cover.  The d-man our front has Sheahan, Richards has transitioned to get Tatar, and the middle Kings player has shifted to cover Bert.

Now the circle.  Bertuzzi maybe kind of sort of interferes with Richards just a touch.  This could be incidental, but it's Bert.  He knows what he's doing and it creates an opening.  See the next frames:

Even though it was very subtle, Bertuzzi getting in Richards way creates separation for Tatar.  He typically doesn't need much help in doing so, but I'll take it!  Tatar has plenty of room in front of him here and uses it to drive to the net with Sheahan providing a screen.

Lots happening here.  Tatar goes to the net with Richards all over his back (a penalty woul dhave been called here except for...well, yeah). Sheahan and Bertuzzi are creating havoc in front of the net.  But I think my favorite thing here is Dustin Brown.  He can see that Tatar is going to beak Richards to the front of the net.  He stands there.  He could have tried to pressure and help, but nope.  At least he didn't dive.  So, what happens next?

Tatar gets the shot off and now the Wings and Kings each have three players right in front of the net.  The puck is currently right in front of Quick. I'm not sure what it hits but it will slowly move to his glove side.  Thankfully, Sheahan is left-handed (because Red Wings) and it ends up on his backhand for the tap in.

Awesome.  Let's summarize:

• The Wings had a 3 on 3 but Tatar used his speed to force the Kings to change coverage
• Bertuzzi may or may not have got in Richards way on purpose (ahem)
• All the Wings went to the net
• Sheahan did a good job screening and was rewarded with his first goal

That's all for now.  Per usual, feel free to yell at us on the twitter for podcast topics, blog post ideas, or other goals you want me to break down.

Kevin
Michelle
Blue Line Patrol