The ability to move with the puck and get around the defenseman is what often separates good offensive hockey players from average ones. While qualities like speed, strength and quickness can help you drive by the defenseman, the most important characteristic needed is the ability to play instinctively and figure out what move will cause your opponent the most problems.
Speed to the Outside
One of the most basic ways to pass the defenseman when you are attacking is to skate with speed past his outside shoulder. You are skating forward and he is almost always skating backward when you approach the offensive zone. By getting up to full speed at the blue line, you can skate by his outside shoulder and force him into the catch-up mode. Once you have a half-step advantage, you have won the battle. You are now in position to put a tough shot on net or set up a teammate with a crisp pass.
Chip Off the Wall
As you approach the blue line, you are skating at full speed with a defenseman in front of you. He is not leaving you enough room to get by on the outside. In a move designed to throw off the defenseman for a half-step, you bank the puck hard off the wall and it rebounds to your stick as you skate toward the center. Unless he intercepts the pass, you are in a position to get off a quality shot.
Outside-in Drive
Try this move if you have regularly used your speed to get by the defenseman's outside shoulder. Instead of trying to blow by him with your speed, drive toward the outside shoulder and then cut hard to the inside. If you get close enough to the defenseman you will be able to slide the puck through his skates when you make this move. Even if you can't do that, you will force him to change directions. After making the move, keep the puck as far away from the defenseman as possible to get off a quick shot or pass.
Inside-out Drive
This move can help set up a teammate for a clear shot on goal. As you pass center ice, you sense an opening toward the middle of the ice but the defenseman is heading into your path and you must cut the opposite way toward the outside. He will have to cross over and turn to stay with you and the time it takes to do this will give you a quick advantage. Keep your head up and look for a teammate skating into the slot --- the area 15 to 20 feet in front of the goal --- and send an accurate pass to him as you pass the defenseman and head to the corner.
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