Did you know that a scoring chance off the rush is far more likely to be a goal than one off the cycle or forecheck? This is one of the main reasons why there's so much focus on controlled zone entries at the NHL level.

How often does your favourite player have the puck? And what does that mean in terms of results?

How do teams generate good shot attempt differentials? One key to that is transitioning the puck up the ice under control, meaning not tossing it up the boards and hoping to win it back. By combining all kinds of plays that move the puck up the ice, we get possession driving plays.

If you want to keep the puck under team control and generate smooth transition into the offensive zone, that work starts in the defensive zone with a controlled exit, or breakout.

The slot, the home plate, or the house, whatever you want to call it, that area on the ice between the dots and below the tops of the circles is where almost all of the scoring plays in hockey take place.

What is a controlled zone entry, and why is it important? We break it down as we continue to go through the statistics we use here at The Point.

Here at The Point, we talk about the inner slot area of the ice a lot, and there's a good reason why; almost half of all goals in the NHL are scored from there, and shooting percentage skyrockets within that area.

Riley Nash is a versatile depth centre that could help a lot of teams.

The NHL Awards are just around the corner, and we're breaking down all of them. This time we're looking at the Hart Memorial Trophy for the NHL's most valuable player to their team. Who takes the award?