The power play is one of the most vital parts of a hockey team's offense. When a team gains an advantage because the opponent is short-handed, it must take advantage of these opportunities. There are many things a team can do to take advantage of this numerical advantage. It can set up shots from the defensive players, it can attempt to screen the goaltender by putting a man in front of him and it can work the short-passing game to create open shots. Teams use drills and exercises in practice to hone their power play skills.
Back to the Point
Many teams like to set up shots from their defensemen on the power play. The defensemen are usually stationed on opposite sides of the blue line, which is the top of the offensive zone. When the defenseman gets a pass in this area---called the point---he often has a clear view of the ice and can see which of his teammates are open or if there is a clear lane towards the goal so he can get off a shot. A defenseman at the point must keep his head up when he has the puck so he can make the best decision possible. In this drill, one of the defenseman gets the puck. It is his job to make the right decision, which means make the correct pass to the open teammate or take a clear shot. In this drill, the defenseman must make the correct pass four times out of five.
Half-Wall Play
In order to keep the opposing team from getting too comfortable in its approach to defending the power play, the offensive team will send the ball to an offensive player stationed along the side wall, midway between the goalline and the the blue line. This is called the half wall. The player along the halfwall passes the puck to an open teammate near the goal, a defenseman back at the point or takes a shot himself to create a scoring opportunity. In this drill, the player on the half wall must get rid of the puck quickly and accurately. The faster he can find an open teammate, the more uncomfortable the defense will be. Give the player 10 pucks and have him pass to the taped part of his teammates' sticks as often as possible.
Screen the Goaltender
Have one of your forwards station himself right in front of the goaltender's crease. He may not touch the goalie, but he is allowed to get in his field of vision in order to limit his ability to follow the puck. The forward who does this will usually have his back to the goaltender so he can follow the puck and therefore position himself in front of the goaltender and screen him from the action. This can be done throughout the two-minute power play, as long as the offensive team has possession of the puck in the offensive zone.
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