Category

Term	Abbreviation	Category	Description	Usage & Notes
Cycle the Puck	—	Offensive Concepts	Sustained offensive pressure created by moving the puck along the boards and switching positions to tire defenders.	Used by skilled lines to maintain zone time and open shooting lanes down low.
Give-and-Go	—	Offensive Concepts	Quick pass to a teammate followed by immediately skating into space to receive the puck back.	Effective in tight areas to beat defenders and create point-blank chances.
Odd-Man Rush	—	Offensive Concepts	Transition attack where the offense has more skaters than defenders back.	Forces defenders to choose between shooter and passer, often yielding high-danger chances.
Net-Front Presence	—	Offensive Concepts	Positioning a skater near the crease to screen the goalie and pounce on rebounds.	Critical on power plays and point shots to create tips and second chances.
Crash the Net	—	Offensive Concepts	Aggressively skate to the crease after a shot to hunt for rebounds or loose pucks.	Common late in games when teams need greasy goals from in tight.
Royal Road Pass	—	Offensive Concepts	Lateral feed that crosses the slot line, forcing the goalie to move side-to-side and opening prime scoring chances.	Power plays script royal-road passes off the half wall to find one-timers on the weak side bumper.
Low-to-High	—	Offensive Concepts	Offensive pattern where the puck moves from below the goal line or corner up to the blue line for point shots.	Effective against passive coverage; forwards crash for tips and rebounds once the point shot is released.
Backcheck	—	Defensive Concepts	Forwards hustling back toward their own zone to disrupt the opponent's rush.	Essential after turnovers to prevent odd-man rushes and regain positioning.
Gap Control	—	Defensive Concepts	Managing the space between defender and puck carrier to limit time and options.	Blue-liners angle rushers wide by holding a tight gap through the neutral zone.
Stick Lift	—	Defensive Concepts	Lifting the opponent's stick blade to separate them from the puck without taking a penalty.	Ideal along the boards or in front when you need a clean takeaway.
Shot Blocking	BK	Defensive Concepts	Using the body or stick to stop an opponent's shot from reaching the net.	Crucial during penalty kills and late-game defensive stands.
Clear the Zone	—	Defensive Concepts	Sending the puck out of the defensive zone to relieve pressure, usually off the glass or boards.	Coaches expect defensemen to make strong clears when tired or pinned in.
Box Out	—	Defensive Concepts	Defensive positioning technique where a skater uses body leverage to keep attackers away from the crease and loose pucks.	Essential on penalty kills and net-front scrums to clear shooting lanes for the goaltender.
Stick on Puck	—	Defensive Concepts	Disciplined defending where the blade stays connected to the puck carrier's stick to deflect passes and force turnovers.	Coaches drill stick-on-puck details in neutral-zone schemes to limit seam passes and rush chances.
Dump-and-Chase	—	Team Strategy	Strategy of sending the puck deep into the offensive zone and forechecking to regain possession.	Useful when facing a tight neutral zone or to wear down opposing defenders.
Neutral Zone Trap	—	Team Strategy	Defensive alignment clogging the middle of the ice to force turnovers before the blue line.	Common with a late lead to slow faster teams and generate counter attacks.
Stretch Pass	—	Team Strategy	Long pass from the defensive zone to a forward sneaking behind defenders for a quick attack.	Used to catch aggressive forechecks off guard or spring breakaways.
Line Matching	—	Team Strategy	Choosing which forward line or defensive pair goes against the opponent's units to exploit matchups.	Home teams leverage last change after stoppages to neutralize top stars.
Offensive Zone Regroup	—	Team Strategy	Pulling the puck out to reset structure and re-enter with speed rather than forcing a play.	Coaches call for a regroup when spacing is lost or everyone is static along the boards.
Motion Offense	—	Team Strategy	Tactical approach where all five skaters interchange positions with constant puck and player movement to create confusion in defensive coverage.	Teams lean on motion offense to unseat man-to-man coverage, freeing weak-side seams for backdoor chances.
Two-Way Forward	—	Player Roles	Forward trusted to contribute offensively while responsibly covering defensive assignments.	Coaches rely on them for matchups against top centers and key penalty-kill minutes.
Power Forward	—	Player Roles	Big-bodied winger who drives the net, wins board battles, and plays a heavy game.	Anchors top-six lines to create space for skilled linemates and wear down defenders.
Playmaking Center	—	Player Roles	Middle-ice pivot who controls pace, facilitates teammates, and quarterbacks the offense.	Runs the power play from the half-wall or high slot and takes key draws.
Stay-at-Home Defenseman	—	Player Roles	Blueliner focused on shutting down opponents, clearing the crease, and making safe plays.	Paired with an offensive partner to balance risk and relied upon in late defensive situations.
Enforcer	—	Player Roles	Physical player tasked with deterring opponents through hits and fights to protect teammates.	Less common in modern NHL but still appears in rivalry games or to spark energy.
Puck-Moving Defenseman	—	Player Roles	Defenseman who excels at skating the puck out, joining the rush, and creating offense from the back end.	Key on breakouts and power plays to transition quickly and keep pucks moving laterally.
Net-Front Presence	—	Player Roles	Forward tasked with parking at the top of the crease to screen the goalie, battle for tips, and clean up rebounds.	Power-play units rotate big bodies or fearless wingers into the net-front presence to stress defenders.
Corsi	CF%	Analytics & Stats	Possession metric counting all shot attempts (on goal, missed, blocked) for and against while a player is on the ice.	Analysts track Corsi percentage to evaluate territorial control beyond goals scored.
Fenwick	FF%	Analytics & Stats	Possession stat similar to Corsi but excluding blocked shots to approximate scoring chances.	Teams with high Fenwick share usually sustain pressure with unblocked attempts.
PDO	PDO	Analytics & Stats	Sum of a team's shooting percentage and save percentage at even strength, used as a proxy for puck luck.	PDO regresses toward 100; extreme highs or lows often predict future correction.
Expected Goals	xG	Analytics & Stats	Model-based estimate of goal probability on each shot considering location, type, and context.	Helps evaluate scoring chances created or allowed beyond raw shot totals.
Time on Ice	TOI	Analytics & Stats	Total minutes a skater plays in a game, broken down by situation such as even strength or power play.	High TOI indicates trust from coaches; spikes often signal injuries or short benches.
Goals Above Replacement	GAR	Analytics & Stats	Comprehensive model estimating how many goals a player adds compared with a replacement-level skater.	Used by analysts to compare overall impact across positions and situations.
Offside	—	Rules & Infractions	Infraction called when an attacking skater enters the offensive zone before the puck fully crosses the blue line.	Linesmen whistle play dead, forcing a neutral zone faceoff.
Icing	—	Rules & Infractions	Violation when a team shoots the puck from behind the center line across the opponent's goal line without being touched.	Results in a defensive-zone faceoff and prevents the offending team from changing lines.
Hybrid Icing	—	Rules & Infractions	Modern icing rule where linesmen judge who would reach the puck first by the faceoff dots to reduce dangerous collisions.	If the defending skater has the edge, play is whistled; if the attacker would win, icing is waved off.
Hand Pass	—	Rules & Infractions	Using the hand to direct the puck to a teammate; only legal in the defensive zone.	Outside the defensive zone it leads to a stoppage and faceoff where the pass originated.
Delay of Game - Puck Over Glass	DOG	Rules & Infractions	Minor penalty assessed when a defender shoots the puck directly over the glass from the defensive zone without deflection.	Forces a two-minute penalty kill and discourages teams from relieving pressure by flipping the puck out.
Coach's Challenge	—	Rules & Infractions	Option for a coach to request video review on specific play types such as goaltender interference or offside goals.	Unsuccessful challenges result in a minor penalty; timing and confidence are critical.
Distinct Kicking Motion	—	Rules & Infractions	Standard applied on video review to determine if a goal should be disallowed because the scorer propelled the puck with a kicking motion.	Officials look for a distinct kicking motion on all net-front deflections, differentiating it from legal redirections off skates.
Puck Over Glass	—	Rules & Infractions	Automatic minor penalty when a defending player shoots the puck directly over the glass from the defensive zone without it touching anything.	Defensemen now angle clears off the glass or high off the glass stanchions to avoid the puck-over-glass call.
Center	C	Positions	Middle forward responsible for faceoffs, supporting both ends of the ice, and directing play through the slot.	Elite centers log heavy minutes, quarterback power plays, and track back deep on defense.
Left Wing	LW	Positions	Forward patrolling the left side, driving wide entries, supporting the defenseman on the breakout, and pressuring the point.	Many left wings are snipers who look for one-timers off the right-handed center's feeds.
Right Wing	RW	Positions	Forward operating on the right boards who retrieves dump-ins, forechecks aggressively, and is often a playmaker for the line.	Responsible for supporting the right defenseman and covering the point when he pinches.
Defenseman	D	Positions	Player stationed near the blue line tasked with stopping rushes, breaking up plays, and starting transitions.	Teams dress six defensemen split into three pairs, often balancing offensive and defensive styles.
Goaltender	G	Positions	Last line of defense tasked with stopping shots using pads, glove, blocker, and positioning in the crease.	Starting goalies play most games while backups spell them on back-to-backs or busy stretches.
Extra Skater	EA	Positions	Additional skater sent on when the goalie is pulled for a late offensive push, usually creating a 6-on-5 advantage.	Teams risk the empty net but gain pressure; needs crisp puck movement and net-front traffic.
Rover	—	Positions	Flexible skater granted license to roam between forward and defense responsibilities to exploit space and mismatches.	Seen on modern power plays where a mobile defenseman or playmaking forward floats high to dictate puck movement.
Minor Penalty	2:00	Penalties	Standard two-minute penalty for common infractions like hooking or tripping.	Team plays shorthanded until time expires or the opposition scores on the power play.
Double Minor	4:00	Penalties	Two consecutive minor penalties assessed together, often for high-sticking that draws blood.	Serves as two separate power plays; if a goal is scored, only one of the minors expires.
Major Penalty	5:00	Penalties	Five-minute penalty for severe offenses like fighting or boarding that endangers opponents.	Opponent enjoys a full five-minute power play regardless of goals scored.
Misconduct	10:00	Penalties	Ten-minute penalty assessed for unsportsmanlike conduct or continued arguing with officials; no manpower loss unless combined with another penalty.	Player must sit for ten minutes but can be replaced on the ice by a teammate.
Game Misconduct	GM	Penalties	Ejection penalty for severe behaviour or accumulation of majors; player is removed for the rest of the game.	Team may replace the player after the accompanying penalty time is served, but fines or suspensions may follow.
Match Penalty	MP	Penalties	Harshest in-game penalty for deliberate attempts to injure; player is ejected and team serves a five-minute major.	Automatically reviewed by the league for supplemental discipline beyond the game.
Bench Minor	2:00	Penalties	Team penalty assessed to the bench for infractions like too many men on the ice or illegal substitution.	A designated player serves the penalty; coaches adjust lines to compensate for the mistake.
Closing Hand on Puck	—	Penalties	Minor assessed when a skater covers or holds the puck with the hand while on the ice, preventing play from continuing.	Officials allow a goalie to freeze the puck but penalize skaters who grab it in the defensive zone scrum.
Neutral Zone	—	Rink Zones	Middle area of the rink between the two blue lines where teams battle for possession and transition.	Neutral zone structure dictates forecheck schemes and determines entry success.
Slot	—	Rink Zones	Prime scoring area between the faceoff circles in front of the net where high-danger chances are generated.	Defenses protect the slot to limit rebounds and point-blank looks.
Crease	—	Rink Zones	Semi-circular blue-painted area in front of the goal reserved for the goaltender's space.	Attackers cannot impede the goalie inside the crease or goals may be overturned.
Trapezoid	—	Rink Zones	Restricted trapezoid area behind the goal where the goalie is allowed to play the puck; outside it they risk a penalty.	Goaltenders use it to stop dump-ins and start breakouts while staying within legal boundaries.
Half Wall	—	Rink Zones	Area along the boards between the goal line and blue line where wingers set up and run power-play formations.	Playmaking centers rotate here to distribute passes on the power play.
Blue Line	—	Rink Zones	Thick blue lines separating zones that determine offside and mark the point positions for defensemen.	Defensemen hold the blue line to keep plays alive and must exit to tag up on delayed offsides.
Hash Marks	—	Rink Zones	Small markings beside the faceoff circles indicating player positioning during draws and serving as battle points.	Wingers line up on the hash marks during defensive draws and crash into the slot on the whistle.
Home Plate Area	—	Rink Zones	Defensive zone shape stretching from the goal posts to the faceoff dots and out to the top of the circles, mirroring a baseball home plate.	Coaches preach protecting the home-plate area first, collapsing coverage to keep shots to the perimeter.
Butterfly Style	—	Goaltending	Goaltending technique where the goalie drops to both knees with pads flared out to seal the ice.	Standard stance on most shots, forcing shooters to aim high to beat the goalie.
Reverse-VH	RVH	Goaltending	Goalie stance used on sharp-angle plays where the pad nearest the post is vertical and the far pad seals the ice.	Critical for defending wraparounds and plays from behind the net.
Paddle Down	—	Goaltending	Technique where the goalie lays the stick paddle flat to block wraparounds or jam plays at the post.	Used in tandem with the RVH to seal the lower net on goal-line scrambles.
Poke Check	—	Goaltending	Goalie thrusting the stick blade forward to knock the puck away from an approaching attacker.	Effective against breakaways when the attacker loses control or is deking in tight.
Glove Save	—	Goaltending	Catching or snaring the puck in the goaltender's glove hand to stop play or control rebounds.	Spectacular glove saves can swing momentum and are key on high shots through traffic.
Post-to-Post Slide	—	Goaltending	Lateral push where the goalie shuffles or slides from one post to the other to track cross-ice passes.	Must maintain seal along the ice while keeping shoulders square to shooters.
Post Integration	—	Goaltending	Goaltending technique of sealing the post with pad, skate, and stick to deny short-side plays or sharp-angle wraps.	Modern goalies flow between post-integration looks like RVH or overlap depending on puck location and threats.
Power Play	PP	Special Teams	Situation where a team has more skaters due to an opponent's penalty, allowing set plays and extra space.	Teams run 1-3-1 or overload formations to create cross-seam passes and net-front screens.
Penalty Kill	PK	Special Teams	Defensive unit tasked with surviving an opponent's power play while shorthanded.	Uses formations like diamond or box to pressure the puck and clear the zone quickly.
Shorthanded Goal	SHG	Special Teams	Goal scored by the team killing a penalty while they are down a player.	Momentum-shifting plays often generated off aggressive forechecks or neutral zone turnovers.
Five-on-Three	5v3	Special Teams	Powerful special-teams situation where two opponents are in the penalty box, giving the attackers two extra skaters.	Teams station players in the bumper and goal line to create quick passing triangles and one-timers.
Empty-Net Goal	ENG	Special Teams	Goal scored into the vacated net when the opponent has pulled their goaltender for an extra attacker.	Often seals the game late; defenders aim for safe clears that can find the net.
Power Kill	—	Special Teams	Modern penalty-kill philosophy that attacks up ice with speed and pressure instead of sitting back in a passive box.	Coaches deploy quick forwards to power kill, looking to force turnovers high and create shorthanded rushes.
Deke	—	Signature Plays	Skillful fake with the stick or body to get the goalie or defender to bite and open space.	Breakaway specialists string together multiple dekes to beat goalies one-on-one.
Toe Drag	—	Signature Plays	Move where the player pulls the puck toward the body with the toe of the blade to avoid a stick and change shooting angle.	Popular in highlight-reel goals to beat defenders at the blue line or cut inside.
Saucer Pass	—	Signature Plays	Pass that lifts the puck slightly off the ice to clear sticks while still landing flat for the receiver.	Essential for cross-ice passes on odd-man rushes and power-play seams.
One-Timer	—	Signature Plays	Shot taken immediately off a teammate's pass without stopping the puck, maximizing surprise and power.	Common on power plays from the faceoff circle hash marks or point for heavy shooters.
Wraparound	—	Signature Plays	Scoring attempt where the puck carrier skates behind the net and tries to tuck it in at the far post.	Effective when the goalie overcommits or defenders lose track behind the net.
Drop Pass	—	Signature Plays	Skater carries the puck forward before leaving it behind for a trailing teammate to pick up with speed.	Common on controlled zone entries during power plays to keep defenders flat-footed.
Lacrosse Goal	—	Signature Plays	Highlight-reel wraparound where the puck is scooped onto the blade and tucked in lacrosse style from behind the net.	Requires elite touch and space; defenders now guard the wraparound threat by sealing the post early.
Spin-o-rama	—	Signature Plays	Creative 360-degree spin move used to elude defenders or change shooting angles in tight spaces.	Often unleashed on breakaways or shootouts; modern players blend it with backhand finishes or drop passes.
Hat Trick	—	Game Context	Achievement when a player scores three goals in a single game, often prompting fans to throw hats on the ice.	Team social accounts highlight hat tricks with celebratory graphics and stats recaps.
Gordie Howe Hat Trick	—	Game Context	Unofficial feat of recording a goal, an assist, and a fight in the same game.	Celebrated as a throwback accomplishment showcasing toughness and skill.
Sudden Death Overtime	—	Game Context	Extra period played when regulation ends tied; first team to score wins immediately.	Regular season uses 3-on-3 overtime before proceeding to a shootout if still tied.
Shootout	SO	Game Context	Tiebreaker consisting of alternating penalty shots after overtime fails to produce a winner.	Coaches select three shooters first; extra rounds continue until one team leads after equal attempts.
Regulation Time	—	Game Context	Standard three 20-minute periods of play totaling 60 minutes excluding stoppages.	Standings list wins, losses, and overtime losses based on regulation outcomes.
Back-to-Back	B2B	Game Context	Scheduling scenario where a team plays games on consecutive days, often affecting fatigue and goalie usage.	Coaches often start the backup goalie in one leg and manage travel and rest carefully.
Home-Ice Advantage	—	Game Context	Benefits enjoyed by the home team, including last line change, familiar boards, and energy from the crowd.	Coaches exploit home-ice advantage to hard-match stars and spring set plays off board bounces they know well.
Forward Line	—	Team Building	Grouping of three forwards who skate together as a unit, typically labeled first through fourth line.	Coaches tweak line combinations based on chemistry, matchups, and injuries.
Defensive Pairing	—	Team Building	Two defensemen deployed together, often balancing handedness and roles like puck-mover with stay-at-home.	Teams carry three pairings; coaches manage matchups and zone starts to suit each pair's strengths.
Checking Line	—	Team Building	Forward trio tasked with matching against opponents' top players, forechecking hard, and providing energy.	Usually the third line and first over the boards for defensive zone draws.
Top Six	—	Team Building	Term describing the first and second forward lines that carry the bulk of a team's scoring responsibility.	GMs evaluate whether prospects can crack the top six or project as bottom-six depth.
Healthy Scratch	—	Team Building	Player left out of the lineup for tactical reasons despite being uninjured.	Coaches rotate healthy scratches to keep depth players engaged and ready.
Black Aces	—	Team Building	Group of depth players kept practicing with the team during playoffs as injury insurance and competition for roster spots.	Coaches remind the black aces to stay ready because injuries can thrust them into the lineup overnight.
Leadership Group	—	Team Building	Core veterans, usually the captain and alternates, who set standards in the room and communicate with coaches and management.	Coaches involve the leadership group in travel decisions, practice intensity, and addressing issues with the roster.
Composite Stick	—	Equipment	Lightweight carbon-fiber stick used by modern players for improved flex and shot release.	Players customize flex and curve patterns to match shooting style and position.
Visor	—	Equipment	Clear polycarbonate shield attached to the helmet protecting the eyes while leaving the lower face open.	Mandatory for skaters entering the league since 2013; veterans grandfathered in may still go without.
Skate Hollow	ROH	Equipment	Depth of the sharpening groove on skate blades, affecting bite and glide based on radius.	Players request specific ROH measurements like 1/2" for agility or 5/8" for more glide.
Tape Job	—	Equipment	Custom pattern of cloth tape applied to a stick's blade or handle to improve grip and puck feel.	Players re-tape before games, choosing colors, wax, and wrap direction for consistency.
Goalie Gear Set	—	Equipment	Collection of pads, blocker, glove, chest protector, pants, mask, and skates tailored to a goaltender.	Goalies coordinate colors with team branding and adjust strapping for comfort and rebound control.
Cut-Resistant Socks	—	Equipment	Protective socks woven with aramid or cut-proof fibers to guard Achilles tendons and ankles from skate blades.	Mandated in many leagues after tendon injuries; teams issue them to all players in preseason fittings.