To Score More, Get to the Net !

Nov 16

by Jeff Lynt

The saying "To score more, get to the net" is simple but very true in hockey. Still, many teams struggle to do it. In hockey, the area around the net is where most goals happen, but it’s also the toughest place to get to. Even though it sounds easy, teams often take bad shots from far away or bad angles instead of battling to get close. This usually leads to missed chances. Scoring goals isn't about making things complicated — it’s about being disciplined, getting close to the net, and fighting through the chaos in front of the goalie. If you want to score more, the key is simple: get to the net and do it over and over again.

Scoring in hockey is hard, so knowing the best ways to create chances is very important. Most goals are scored close to the net, so getting players into that area is crucial. The emphasis on generating chances off the cycle, along the boards, is smart strategy for controlling play in the offensive zone. This approach not only allows for sustained pressure but also provides opportunities for players to position themselves effectively in front of the net. It shows how important it is to create chances with smart plays, good passing, and winning battles along the boards.

See a previous article about the importance of Mastering Board Battles.

Scoring on fast rushes can be exciting, but it doesn’t work as often as setting up plays by getting players to the net for screens and rebounds. Coaches who use these strategies understand that keeping pressure in the offensive zone, having players in the right spots, and fighting hard near the net are all important for scoring more goals. In today’s game, the best teams use a mix of quick rushes and strong zone play to create as many scoring chances as possible.

Also see Team Scoring: On the Rush with focus on Net Presence
Also see: Creating Scoring Chances

Net Front Presence

Net Front Presence (NFP) is a major key to scoring goals. It’s not just about flashy shots like you see from players like Auston Matthews or Connor Bedard. It’s more like what players such as Brady Tkachuk do — battling, positioning, tipping shots, and fighting for rebounds right around the crease. Success at the net doesn’t always mean heavy battles either. Sometimes it’s about being smart, moving into the right spots at the right time, and making it hard for the goalie to see or control the puck. Whether through toughness or smart positioning, strong net front play leads to a lot of goals.

By sending players to the net, teams create a presence in the critical scoring areas, increasing the probability of converting rebounds and loose pucks into goals. Analytics support the notion that close-range shots, often resulting from players stationed near the net have a higher success rate than shots taken from further distances.

This strategic approach aligns with the fundamental principle of Net Front Presence (NFP), where teams actively seek to engage in battles near the net and capitalize on scoring opportunities in the high-traffic areas. As analytics continue to shape hockey strategies, the data consistently reinforces the effectiveness of players going to the net and positioning themselves strategically in the key scoring circles for increased offensive success.

3 Circles

When looking at how to be effective with Net Front Presence (NFP), there are three key spots to focus on for shooting and being properly positioned for rebounds. First is the Strong Side Circle, where many rebounds bounce out on the same side the puck came from. Second is the Dot Wide - Back Post Circle, a smart place to be for rebounds off the goalie’s pads on the far side. Third is the Slot Circle, right in front of the net, where players can tip shots or pounce on loose pucks. Each of these spots gives players a great chance to score by being in the right place at the right time.

The Strong Side Circle:
This spot is right in front of or beside the goalie on the same side the shot came from. It’s a key area for screens, tips, and rebounds. Players here can take away the goalie’s eyes and make it hard for him to track the puck. It’s not flashy, but it’s one of the most important spots for creating chaos and scoring chances up close.

The Dot Wide – Back Post Circle (2nd Circle):
This area is near the far post, on the opposite side of where the shot came from, giving players a bit more space and time to react to rebounds that bounce off the goalie’s pads. It’s a great spot for quick tap-ins and smart positioning without being stuck in heavy traffic. Players here take advantage of pucks that slide across the crease or bounce out wide.

The Slot Circle (3rd Circle):
This is the prime shooting area, right in the middle in front of the net. Rebounds that bounce into the slot give players a moment to settle the puck and shoot quickly. It’s not as jammed up as right on top of the crease, so there’s just enough room to make a quick play. Most goals in hockey are scored from this area because of the short distance and clear shooting angle.

A meticulous examination of the 2019 season heatmap of the Toronto Maple Leafs unveils a compelling truth: an overwhelming percentage of goals materialized due to a Net Front Presence strategy; it becomes the very heartbeat of their scoring success.

Prime Scoring Areas - The Best Shooting Areas

When we talk about Net Front Presence (NFP) and the 3 Circles — Strong Side Circle, Dot Wide/Back Post Circle, and Slot Circle — we’re not just talking about rebounds and loose pucks. These 3 areas are also the best shooting spots in hockey.

When you look at scoring heatmaps, you can see that over 52% of all goals come from right inside or very close to these 3 circles. If we put a diagram of the 3 circles on top of a goal-scoring heatmap, they match almost perfectly.

That’s why it’s not just about chasing rebounds — it’s about always getting to these spots to shoot, score, and create pressure. These are high-percentage scoring areas. Whether the puck is bouncing around or you have a clean chance to shoot, the 3 Circles should be your target. Players who live in these areas are the ones who score the most goals.

Key Message:
If you want to score more goals, make it a habit: get to the circles. Stay in the circles. Shoot from the circles.

Screens and Tips

A big part of being good at Net Front Presence (NFP) is knowing how to disrupt the goalie — not just physically, but mentally too. Players try to block the goalie’s view, move with them to stay in the way, and use techniques like the "Skinny Screen", where they stand close but narrow to make it harder for the goalie to see the puck.

Movement and timing also make a big difference. A Flash Screen is when a player skates in front of the goalie right as the shot is taken, making it harder for the goalie to react. Other times, players move slowly into the slot or toward the shooter, making it even harder for the goalie to see the puck, which increases the chances of scoring with a clean shot, tip, or rebound.

Good net-front players also stay active with the puck. They work on tips and deflections, redirecting shots to confuse the goalie and defense. With Flash Tips, they combine movement with redirection to make it even harder to defend. Some even tip the puck off the side of the net to cause confusion and open up more chances to score.

Low Jam and Attack the Net

Low Jam and Attacking the Net are all about the nonstop effort to score. Low Jam means staying low near the crease and battling hard for loose pucks. It’s about being ready for rebounds and cleaning up the mess in front of the goalie. This is where goals often come from — by fighting through traffic and staying close.

Attacking the Net (also called Funneling to the Net) means driving to the crease every time there’s a shot or a loose puck. Players need to go hard to the net, get under defenders, and create traffic. The more pressure and chaos they create around the goalie, the better chance the team has to score on rebounds, tips, and scrambles.

Mastering Net Front Presence (NFP) is a major key to scoring more goals. It’s about being in the right spot, taking the goalie’s eyes away, and staying active around the puck. These strategies help players and teams create real scoring chances and take control around the net.

Debunk: Garbage Goals

Debunking the term “garbage goals” is critical. This phrase is often used to describe goals scored close to the net — like rebounds, tips, or scrappy plays in front of the crease. But the term itself is misleading. By Calling them “garbage”, it suggests that some goals are less valuable or less skillful than others, which simply isn’t true. These goals take toughness, timing, and effort — and they often decide games. The truth is, these are some of the most important and hard-earned goals in hockey, and they deserve full respect. These tough, hard-earned goals are a big part of real scoring success.

The King of Garbage Goals

In 1971, Hall of Famer Phil Esposito set an NHL record of 76 goals, many of which were scored because of rebounds, redirections, and deflections in front of the net. Though many considered his goals to be garbage goals, he was a master of the trade and led the Bruins to a Stanley Cup win that season.

Only 3 other players have ever scored more than Esposito in a single season (Gretzky, Hull and Lemieux)
Esposito scored 717 goals in his NHL career.

The term "garbage" might imply that these goals are somehow less skillful or less aesthetically pleasing than goals scored from a distance or through intricate plays. This misguided mindset has inadvertently stifled scoring innovation. Players, coaches, and even fans are seduced by the allure of the spectacular, the highlight-reel goals that adorn sports shows and social media. But in fixating on the spectacular, they overlook the efficacy of the strategic and the hard-earned. The relentless pursuit of perfection in the goal crease is overshadowed by the allure of the perfect shot from the top of the circle.

The result? Teams miss out on opportunities. Coaches fail to recognize the importance of a gritty forward relentlessly battling in front of the net, and players shy away from the dirty areas where goals are often won. Shifting this mindset is not just about recognizing the value of "garbage goals"; it's about acknowledging their pivotal role in scoring success. As the wise sports adage dictates, "They don't ask how, they ask how many." It's time to celebrate every hard-fought inch in the goal crease, recognizing that goals scored close to the net are not merely statistics but the bedrock of success.

While some may use the term "garbage goals" to downplay the perceived skill involved in scoring close-range goals, others argue that these goals are a testament to a player's ability to position themselves effectively, capitalize on rebounds, and demonstrate persistence in high-traffic areas.

In a broader sense, many hockey enthusiasts and professionals prefer to refer to these goals as "net-front goals" or goals scored through "net-front presence" to emphasize the strategic positioning and effort required to score in the challenging and contested areas around the goal. The term "garbage goals" may carry a negative connotation, but recognizing their significance underscores the importance of being effective in the gritty and competitive spaces near the net.

Jeff Lynt

Is a Head Scout with Elite Hockey Canada.

Founder of EHC Agency and he is a certified Hockey Scout and Agent with SMWW - Sports Management Worldwide. jeff.lynt@elitehockeycanada.com or jlynt@smww.com