WASHINGTON, D.C. — The anatomy of an overtime goal these days can often start with something as subtle as the posture of a player off the puck.
In the NHL’s 3-on-3 format for sudden death hockey, it’s all about increased chances via extra space on the ice. Beating opponents on the rush is the difference between one point and two.
When the Avs found themselves with an extra man against Carolina on Thursday, the eventual goal scorer started skating backward on the wing as soon as the puck moved to J.T. Compher in the middle.
Artturi Lehkonen didn’t unleash his shot until he reached the faceoff dot, but he was turning to position himself for a forehand before he even reached the circle, opening his body to receive a pass from Compher.