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Nishuskin Slashes into Neutral Zone Forcing D to Backup

https://vimeo.com/879033567

When the wing has the puck on a strong side breakout, the weak side wing can force the opposing strong side D to backup and give space by "slashing" in the neutral zone behind the opponents D.

What to Watch

The Avalanche are in good D-zone positions to start the clip.
MacKinnon is taking away any puck going up the wall to the opponent's D.
The strong side D and Center are in the corner trying to fighting to win the puck.
The weak side D is supporting on the strong side between the puck opponents and the net.
The weak side wing, Nichushkin, is in basically in the space between the hash marks int he middle of the ice.
When MacKinnon gets the puck on the wall Nichushkin skates hard diagonally behind the opponent's strong side D.
The opponent's defense is forced to back up and give space to MacKinnon skating up the wall with the puck.
If Nichushkin does not do this then most likely the opponents defender will pinch and force MacKinnon to get rid of the puck.