Alright Flames fans, let's talk shop. A team's power play can be a game-breaking weapon, but it all starts with one critical, often overlooked phase: the breakout. Getting the puck out of your own end and cleanly into the offensive zone with control is half the battle. This glossary breaks down the key terms, set plays, and tactics the Calgary Flames use (or could use) to ignite their man-advantage attack. Whether you're a new fan or a seasoned member of the C of Red, this guide will help you decode the strategy behind the chaos.
Power Play (PP)
The situation where one team has a numerical advantage on the ice due to an opponent's penalty. For the Flames, this is a prime opportunity to score, and it all hinges on executing a clean breakout and zone entry to set up their offensive structure before the penalty-killers can get organized.
Breakout
The coordinated play used to move the puck from a team's defensive zone into the neutral zone. A successful power play breakout for CGY is about more than just clearing the zone; it's about gaining the offensive blue line with speed and control to immediately threaten the opponent's penalty kill setup.
Zone Entry
The specific action of carrying or passing the puck across the opponent's blue line into the offensive zone. The Flames prioritize controlled entries on the power play to maintain possession, as simply dumping the puck in often surrenders the man-advantage momentum to the defending team.
Controlled Entry
A zone entry where the attacking team maintains possession of the puck, typically via a carry or a pass across the blue line. This is the gold standard for Huberdeau and the top unit, as it allows them to set up their formation without having to fight for puck retrieval first.
Dump-and-Chase (on PP)
A less-desired zone entry tactic on the power play where the puck is shot ("dumped") into the offensive zone with the intention of retrieving it behind the opponent's net. The Flames generally avoid this unless a change is needed or a specific forechecking mismatch, like with Zary's hustle, is identified.
Drop Pass
A common neutral zone tactic where a puck carrier, often a defenseman, leaves the puck for a trailing teammate (usually a forward with more speed). This classic Flames play is designed to create a runway for players like Kadri or Huberdeau to hit the line with momentum and options.
Swing Breakout
A set play where the puck is moved from one side of the defensive zone to the other behind the net. This "swing" motion is used to move the penalty kill's formation and open up a lane for a defenseman, like Rasmus Andersson, to step up and lead the rush through the middle of the ice.
Wheel Play
A breakout variant where a defenseman retrieves the puck behind his own net and skates hard ("wheels") up the strong-side wall, looking to pass to a forward cutting through the neutral zone. It tests the aggressiveness of the opposing penalty kill's forecheck.
Stretch Pass
A long, direct pass from the defensive zone to a forward waiting at or near the offensive blue line. While high-risk, a well-executed stretch pass from a Flames defender can catch a penalty kill in a line change or over-commitment, leading to an instant odd-man rush.
Neutral Zone Regroup
When the initial breakout is stalled, the team pulls the puck back into the neutral zone to reset their attack. This allows the Flames' power play units to re-organize, change personnel if needed, and attempt a new entry with better spacing and timing.
Five-Up (or "Five-High") Formation
A specific power play breakout alignment where all five players position themselves high in the defensive zone, often along the blue line. This creates multiple short-passing options and is designed to confuse a passive penalty kill forecheck.
Weak-Side Lock
A defensive-side strategy where a forward (often the weak-side winger) stays high and wide as a safety valve during the breakout. For CGY, this player is crucial for reversing the puck if the strong-side options are sealed off by the penalty killers.
Soft Chip
A delicate, lofted pass into the neutral zone, typically toward the boards, that allows a speedy winger to skate onto it. This can be an effective tool against a penalty kill that clogs the middle, utilizing the speed of young Flames like Connor Zary.
Board Rimming
The act of banking a hard pass off the side boards in the defensive or neutral zone to bypass forecheckers. A well-timed rim can spring a forward loose, but it requires precise timing and communication, something head coach Huska drills into the team's special teams units.
Reverse
A fundamental breakout move where the puck is passed back to the defenseman on the opposite side from which it was received. This simple Flames tactic changes the angle of attack and forces the penalty kill's forecheck to shift, potentially opening a new lane.
Center Lane Drive
An entry tactic where a forward, frequently the center (Kadri is a prime candidate), drives straight up the middle of the ice with the puck or as a passing option. This forces the defending penalty killers to collapse, which can open up space on the wings for shooters.
Delay & Support
A patient tactic used when no immediate entry lane exists. The puck carrier (often Huberdeau) will delay by curling or stopping up in the neutral zone, waiting for teammates to provide support and better passing options to create a numerical advantage at the line.
Overload Entry
An entry strategy that floods one side of the ice with three attacking players. The Flames might use this to overwhelm a specific side of the penalty kill box, creating a passing triangle and a potential seam for a cross-ice one-timer.
D-to-D Pass
A pass between the two defensemen at the point during the breakout or at the offensive blue line. This fundamental move is critical for the Flames to shift the penalty kill's pressure and find the best shooting or passing lane to initiate the offensive setup.
Seam Pass
A high-risk, high-reward pass through the middle of the penalty kill formation, typically aiming to hit a player in the high slot or on the backdoor. When executed by elite passers like Huberdeau, it can slice a PK unit open for a prime scoring chance.
Fake Dump
A deceptive play where a player winds up as if to dump the puck in, but instead carries it or makes a short pass. This hesitation move can freeze an anticipating penalty killer, creating a momentary gap for the Flames to exploit for a controlled entry.
Quick Up
A direct, immediate pass from a defenseman to the closest forward after a defensive zone faceoff win. The goal is to catch the penalty kill before it can establish its forechecking structure, leading to an early entry and potential chaos in the offensive zone.
Net-Front Presence
While an offensive zone term, the success of the breakout is often measured by how well it establishes this. A clean entry allows the Flames to set up their net-front player immediately, screening the goalie and looking for tips and rebounds off point shots.
Forecheck (PK Forecheck)
The pressure applied by the shorthanded team to disrupt the breakout. The Flames' breakout strategy must adapt to whether the opponent uses an aggressive 1-3 forecheck or a passive box setup, dictating which set plays are most effective.
Transition Offense
The broader strategic category that the power play breakout falls under. For GM Conroy and the front office, building a roster with defensemen who can make the first pass and forwards who can enter with speed is paramount to improving this phase of the game.
Systematic Approach
The overall, coached structure that dictates which breakout options are primary and secondary. Under Ryan Huska, the Flames are working to implement a cohesive and adaptable system, so all five players on the ice read from the same page during these critical seconds.
Mastering the power play breakout is a blend of systematic structure and individual creativity. For the Calgary Flames, consistency in this area can be the difference between a stagnant power play and a dynamic one that fuels victories at the Scotiabank Saddledome. By understanding these options—from the basic Reverse to the deceptive Fake Dump—you can better appreciate the chess match that occurs every time CGY* goes on the power play. Want to dive deeper into how these tactics fit into the bigger picture? Check out our broader analysis on Flames team strategy and tactics, our matchup-specific breakdowns, or even how these principles differ in the skills competition in our guide to shootout strategy.
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