While there are many ways to defend an oncoming rush in both NHL 09 and NHL 2K9, one effective strategy is to engage the puck handler just as he is about to cross the blue line into your defensive zone. The key to this strategy is to catch the attacking team off guard with a quick motion before the puck handler has a chance to pass or his teammates have a chance to avoid going offsides (passing the blue line before the puck).
While the strategy can be applied to both games, it is particularly potent in NHL 2K9 as aggressive checking is easier. The use of this strategy in NHL 09 should be reserved for instances in which three defenders are already in the defensive zone waiting for the rush, thereby minimizing the risk in case the defender misses his check. Here is an example of the blue line trap in NHL 2K9...
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| Here, the attacking team (in blue) is on a 3-on-2 rush. Both defensemen retreat back to the defensive zone in preparation for an offsides trap. |
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| As the puck handler approaches the blue line, one of the defensemen quickly turns to engage him. Note: this is very risky with only one other defender as a quick pass to a teammate can result in a 2-on-1 (or worse if the defender misses the check). |
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| The defender engages the puck handler slightly late as the puck has already crossed the blue line. Even so, the strategy can still be effective as the puck handler didn't have a chance to pass the puck before the defender arrived. |
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| The defender attempts to body check the puck handler but it doesn't manage to knock him over. Even so, the contact was enough to knock the puck handler (and the puck) behind the blue line while his teammates continue forward. |
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| The puck handler's stumble and subsequent crossing of the blue line results in an offsides call and play is stopped. As a result of the aggressive trap, the rush is thwarted and the teams face-off in the nuetral zone. |
The offsides trap can be effective even if the defender misses the check entirely provided that the puck handler doesn't pass to a teammate. The additional moments that the puck handler will take navigating around the defender will typically be enough to through off the timing of the rush and cause an offsides violation (or at least delay the attacking team until additional defenders can get back into the play).
