CHICAGO (AP) – The NHL’s hottest real estate in May is about 30 square feet in front of each goal. You have to fight to get there, and it is quite difficult to stay in place after you arrive.
Anaheim got another scoring tip in a 2-1 victory over Chicago in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals on Thursday night, helping the Ducks to a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. While the Eastern Conference finals has been a more free-wheeling showdown, traffic in front of goaltenders Henrik Lundqvist of the Rangers and Ben Bishop of the Lightning has contributed to several goals.
Making the most of that small area right in front of the net could go a long way to determining which teams get to compete for the Stanley Cup.
“If you want to score a goal, I’m going to the front of the net,” Anaheim coach Bruce Boudreau said. “I’ve read stats that 75 percent of all goals are scored within 5 feet of the blue paint. If I want to be a goal scorer and I want to win games, by hook or by crook, I’m going to get to the front of the net, stand there, see where the puck ends up.”
The evolution of the goaltending position and scouting reports have made what players and coaches often call the “dirty” areas more important than ever. Big goalies like the 6-foot-7 Bishop take up more of the net than their smaller counterparts of the past, and advance scouts provide detailed information on the tendencies of opponents and what they like to do in every offensive situation.