Theleft wing lock is a defensiveice hockey strategy similar to theneutral zone trap.

In the most basic form, once puck possession changes, theleft wing moves back in line with thedefencemen. Each defender (including the left winger) plays azone defence and is responsible for a third of the ice each.^[1] Since there are normally only two defencemen, thistactic helps to avoidodd man rushes.

With the reinforced defensive line, thecentre andright wingforecheck aggressively. Often the forecheckers will try to drive the puck over to the opponent's right wing.

Under coachScotty Bowman, theDetroit Red Wings began using "the lock" heavily during the1994-95 NHL season, earning thePresidents' Trophy for the league's best record during the regular season. The following season Detroit was even more dominant, finishing one point short of theNHL record for most points in a season by a team. However, the system broke down during the playoffs each year, especially as they were frustrated by the neutral zone trap strategy employed byJacques Lemaire'sNew Jersey Devils in the1995 Stanley Cup Finals. It was not until 1997 that Detroit broke through and finally matched their regular-season success with aStanley Cup championship.

Although "the lock" was made famous by the Red Wings and has been used to great success in theirStanley Cup runs in the past decade, they are not credited with inventing it. The "lock" was invented inCzechoslovakia to work against the dominantSovietteams of the 1970s.^[1] A former assistant coach under Scotty Bowman,Barry Smith, was credited with seeing the left wing lock inEurope and bringing it back to the Red Wings.^[2]

The simplicity of "the lock" has made it popular at all levels of hockey and it is not uncommon to see it implemented inyouth hockey.

Notes

• Raimondo, Gianni (2007)."The Left Wing Lock".

• Ice hockey terminology
• Ice hockey strategy

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