Patrick Roy and Colorado Avalanche Team Structure

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October 16, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Colorado Avalanche left wing Alex Tanguay (40) moves in for a shot on goal against Anaheim Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen (31) during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Rushing the Net

“Good things happen when you go to the net.”

I can’t attribute that quote because Patrick Roy says it in pretty much every interview. He wants his players to drive the net and hang out around it. He wants players to be ready for rebounds, chip-ins, and other ugly goals.

For example, when forward Matt Duchene was struggling at the beginning of the season, he pulled the young center aside. Roy and showed Duchene video of himself scoring goals while around the net. He also took Duchene off the center position to give him a chance to implement his net-play. (He proceeded to go on a historic scoring streak in November.)

Likewise, watch this video that ended Alex Tanguay’s scoring drought:

Coach Roy praised Tanguay’s positioning in his post-game presser:

"“That was a big one. He was right in front of the net, and good things happen when you’re there.”"

That’s right — one of the many times coach Roy has mentioned the wonders being in front of the net produces.

This also comes out in his expectations for the defense. He likes his defensemen to pinch in, to jump into the play. However, he wants his defensemen to be smart about how they join the play.