Penalty Kill Defensive Zone: Press / Triangle +1

The idea

The Press, sometimes called Triangle +1, is the aggressive penalty kill. Three killers hold a triangle that protects the middle and the net front, while the fourth — the "+1" — attacks the puck carrier. The goal is not just to survive the two minutes, it is to force a bad play and clear the zone.

Reading the diagram

The net we are defending is at the top of the board. The puck is loose along the wall in the low corner (black dot).

F1 is the pressure man. The solid red arrow shows him attacking the puck carrier hard, taking away his time and his forehand. F2 supports just above him — the dashed arrow shows him sliding down to cover the space F1 left and to jump the outlet pass. D1 and D2 form the top of the triangle, protecting the net front and the far seam, and the solid arrows show them stepping out to the slot.

The triangle rotates behind the pressure. Whoever is closest to the puck becomes the +1, and the other three re-form the shape behind him.

Why it works

Power plays that need time to set up hate pressure. If the press wins the puck, we clear and force a fresh entry — that burns more clock than any passive kill does.

When not to use it

Against a unit that moves the puck quickly, one missed press leaves a four-on-three. Use it on a tired power play unit, after an icing, or when the puck is stuck on the wall.