This week’s Learn from the Pros segment look at one of Alex Ovechkin’s goals against Montreal on April 21st, 2010.\u00a0 The goal is scored on a power play rush started by Capital’s Norris Trophy finalist Mike Green.\u00a0 Some subtle plays and a great shot lead to Ovechkin’s first of the night.<\/p>\n
httpv:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Bc8_jDfMKpE<\/p>\n
[0:21] – Capitals #52 Mike Green begins this power play rush by skating with the puck.\u00a0 The first thing to notice is he has his head up surveying the ice.\u00a0 Next, he skates with the puck until he gets pressured by a Montreal forechecker.\u00a0 Too often on the power play breakout players panic with the puck and move it too quickly instead of having patience.\u00a0 By waiting for the forechecker to come to him, Green opens opens up a passing lane.<\/p>\n
[0:26] – Capitals #19 Nicklas Backstrom takes the outlet pass from Green and enters the zone with his head up. By being able to see the ice, he identifies Ovechkin (#8) and makes a pass slightly behind his body.\u00a0 By making the pass opposite his body’s momentum Backstrom is able to create space against the Montreal defense.<\/p>\n
[0:28] – Ovechkin (#8) receives this pass and does NOT stickhandle<\/strong> at all. Instead, he releases a quick (hard) snap shot across his body<\/strong> – meaning the puck is going the opposite way his body is.\u00a0 This forces Montreal goalie #31 Carey Price to move laterally.\u00a0 When a shooter forces a goaltender to move laterally, it creates openings in the goaltender’s stance.\u00a0 Ovechkin’s hard shot finds a way past Price’s far-side.<\/p>\n