Power Play: 3-2

The idea

The 3-2 is the simplest structure in the power play family and the easiest to run with a young unit. Three skaters spread across the top of the zone, two work the low ice. Everyone has a clear job, the passes are simple, and the blue line is always covered.

Reading the diagram

The net is at the top of the board. F2, F1, and F3 are the three high skaters across the goal-line side of the zone, and D1 and D2 work the low ice at the bottoms of the circles. The puck starts with D1 (black dot).

The dashed lines show the reads: up the wall from the low man to the near high skater, across to the middle high skater, and the low-to-low pass that swings the puck to the other side. The three high skaters take turns as the shooter while the low pair screens and retrieves.

Why it works

Balance. Nothing is exotic, so a unit that has just learned the power play can execute it, and the two low skaters make sure a blocked shot or turnover does not turn into a shorthanded rush.