Puck Behind the Net

When an attacking team has time to set up with the puck behind the net, they are in the best passing position on the ice - the goaltender cannot see the developing play and defenders naturally turn their backs to their checks. So the puck does not get contained there; it gets flushed.

The high forwards drop low to help, and one low player stays responsible for the net front so the flush does not open the most dangerous ice on the sheet.

The defender on the side of the ice the puck came from flushes it - taking away the return route and forcing the carrier to keep moving to the far side.

The defender on the far side jumps the carrier as they arrive, forcing them into the corner or along the wall where pressure is safe and support is close.

The player who flushed becomes the support layer, and from there the team transitions back into its normal defensive zone coverage. Timing and communication between the two defensemen and the goaltender are what separate a flush from a broken coverage.

Start with the Defensive Zone Coverage Overview for how the low, high, and pressure pieces fit together.