Film Session: Johnny Gaudreau Uses Deception And Timing To Exploit Opposing Defenders

By Dan Dukart on October 20, 2022 at 1:45 pm
Johnny Gaudreau fights for position against the St. Louis Blues
Jeff Le-USA TODAY Sports
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Through four games to begin his career with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Johnny Gaudreau comes as advertised.

The undersized winger has an outsized impact on the game, attracting defensemen and creating chaos that he uses to his advantage. Through four games, the winger has posted 2-2-4 (G-A-PTS) and drawn three penalties while averaging 21:18 TOI. 

Not bad, especially when considering he's having to carry the load even more than anticipated due to Patrik Laine's injury in the season opener. Gaudreau has played against some of the staunchest defenses in the NHL and has shown why he was such a hot commodity in this summer's UFA sweepstakes. 

Let's look at each of his four points to identify why Gaudreau is such a special talent.

Assist #1

With the injury to Laine, Gus Nyquist has filled in opposite Gaudreau on the wing. And while Nyquist lacks the same natural goalscoring abilities as Laine, he has high hockey IQ and knows where to go on the ice, and perhaps more importantly, when to be there. 

On this zone entry, Nyqiust drops the puck to Gaudreau, then skates directly into Colton Parayko, creating an accidentally-on-purpose pick that a) screens the goalie and b) gives Gaudreau time and space to shoot. After Gaudreau's shot ricochets into the slot, Nyquist is able to track it and bang home the rebound.  

Assist #2

Part of Gaudreau's genius is his understanding of spacing. While many players do their best to avoid a crowd, Gaudreau invites pressure. He recognizes that, in luring a defenseman (and his stick) into Gaudreau's space, the defender is forfeiting the space behind him. 

Here, Gaudreau waits for both the defender and the center to come at him before feathering a pass to Boone Jenner in the dangerous area near the goal. From there, Zach Werenski is able to cash in on the loose change. 

Goal #1

When playing with players like Jenner and Justin Danforth, Gaudreau is adept at understanding his role as a support valve. It's never going to be his game to crash and bang in the corners, but it is his job to read the play.

Here, Danforth and Jenner fight for possession below the goal line. Danforth feathers a pass just beyond the goaltender's stick, and Gaudreau is able to attack downhill and find the loose puck before the Lightning defenders' are able to clear the puck to safety. He doesn't get a great shot off, but his timing and positioning reward him with his first goal as a Blue Jacket. 

Goal #2

Saving the best for last, Gaudreau scores a highlight reel goal to force the game against the Vancouver Canucks into overtime. Here, he turns a routine neutral zone possession into a one-man show.  

Gaudreau is a gifted skater, able to utilize crossovers and transition into his inside edges seamlessly. Watch how he is able to evade two forecheckers before he even enters the attacking zone. Once he gets there, he freezes the defender and goalie alike by stuttering his skating, giving off the impression that he could shoot at any moment.

Of course, he doesn't, instead dragging the defender and goalie away from the goal. From there, he begins a push around the net using his inside edges and tucking it into the net before Spencer Martin can push over.

Gaudreau is one of the most gifted players in the NHL. He uses his cunning and instincts to make up for his lack of physical tools. And through four games, it's clear that his talent will translate just fine in Columbus.

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