What is the forecheck in hockey?

The Vegas Golden Knights have had a successful recipe that made them one of the top NHL teams in recent memory. Through finding diamonds in the rough (i.e. Chandler Stephenson and William Karlsson) and making bold moves (i.e. trading for Jack Eichel), they’ve dominated the league. But there’s more to their dominance than simply having a competent front office who understands the rules.

There’s also the strategic side, where Bill Foley and company have become the top dogs. Over the years, the forward depth they’ve had made them a balanced team. With names like Jonathan Marchessault and Mark Stone, they’ve become a threat to score on any line. There’s also drafting Marc-Andre Fleury that helped them, with the goaltender winning the Vezina Trophy in 2021.

But that’s not the only aspect of their game that made them a tough opponent since their inception. They’ve specialized in a particular strategy that challenged other teams. That’s the forecheck in hockey, where they’ve made their money. So what does this concept mean in this glorious game? How have the Golden Knights turned into a powerhouse through this incredible plan?

The forecheck in hockey is one of the most underrated concepts in the game. It’s where the defending team fights to regain possession of the puck in the opponent’s defensive or neutral zone. That consists of applying pressure to create turnovers with different strategies, including checking opponents into oblivion and taking away shooting lanes.

That strategy has been the focal point for the Vegas Golden Knights since their inception, whether it’s Gerard Gallant or Bruce Cassidy. However, Cassidy has put in a stronger urge to block more shots and take away those shooting lanes. It also helps that the Golden Knights are one of the biggest teams in hockey, boasting the heaviest team last season. In turn, they’ve become tougher to score on, challenging opponents to find a different avenue.

It doesn’t matter if it’s on even strength or the penalty kill. The Golden Knights have turned into one of the best NHL teams in recent memory because of this strategy. They’ve generated turnovers by the bunch, with Mark Stone (1.22 per game since 2019) leading the way. It’s part of a greater plan that the team hopes will work this season. It’s how they’ve made the playoffs in six of their first seven seasons, after all.