Detroit — Red Wings flying deep in the opponents’ zone without the puck, harrying the other guys’ puck carriers and potential ones, stymying attacks even during the countdown to launch.
It used to be a trademark.
Steve Yzerman, Sergei Fedorov, Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Kris Draper, Kirk Maltby and, even well into a long career, Igor Larionov all pushed the forecheck, along with more than a few other Wings, throughout their recent glory years.
One coach with a jutting chin, Scotty Bowman, and another with the scowl of a bird of prey, Mike Babcock demanded it.