Some have called it boring. Others have said it ruined the game. While others yet said it made the game of hockey hard to watch. But in 2020 teams in the NHL are still using the neutral zone trap to protect leads and win hockey games. While the concept is the same, the execution of the neutral zone trap has changed ever so slightly. However, like most teams, they have realized this type of defensive system wins. And whether fans like it or the neutral zone trap is not going anyway anytime soon.<\/p>\n
If you look at the defensive-minded teams in the league like the New York Islanders<\/a>, Columbus Blue Jackets<\/a>, St. Louis Blues<\/a> and a few others come to mind. Once they have a lead on against their opponent, it is usually hard for the opposition to score. Why is that? Well, these teams understand that defence wins championships.<\/p>\n The whole concept of the neutral zone trap began back in 1995 during the ‘Dead Puck Era’ when Jacques Lemaire<\/a><\/strong> was coaching the New Jersey Devils<\/a>. Lemaire had his team playing a 1-2-2, whereby one winger will chase the puck in the offensive zone forcing it to one side. The attacking forwards teammates will meet the opposing puck carrier at the blue line or in the neutral zone. The Devils perfected this art as they won three Stanley Cup Championships and went to another final.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\nNeutral Zone Trap Begins<\/h3>\n