The Scoring Zone: What Are We Really Practicing?

Take a look at these NHL shot charts—offensive juggernauts and Stanley Cup champions alike. Notice anything?

Vegas Golden Knights:

Colorado Avalanche:

Edmonton Oilers:

The majority of shots in games are taken from 10–15 feet of the net.

Now think about a traditional hockey practice. If that’s where the most shots are generated from… why is most of the practice happening outside that area?

Typical drills loop around the perimeter. Players shoot from the outside. Passing happens in open space. Net-front traffic is minimal. But then we expect players and goaltenders to thrive in the chaos around the crease come game time?

Offensively, we should be building the habits to get into that scoring zone—inside positioning, tips, screens, quick releases off rebounds, second efforts, and goal-mouth scrambles.

Defensively, we should be training to protect it—boxing out, stick lifts, body position, tracking back inside, and battling in tight.

So here’s the question for every player, coach, and parent:

Is your practice focused on where the game is actually won? Or is it just skating around the perimeter, hoping it all works out under pressure?

The best teams and players don’t avoid the chaos in front of the net—they embrace it. Make sure your practices reflect that.