i need help with a hockey rule...?

Question

I read this in a yahoo article: "They might have to work even harder in Ottawa, where the Senators have the last line change and will likely try to keep their scorers away from them." what does it mean when it says that the senators have the last line change? ive never heard anything about that until this year's finals. can anyone help me with that?

Answer 1

The road team has to put out their lines first, the home team has the last change. For example, Anaheim would have to put their guys out first. So if Murray sees the ducks put out their checking line he will put someone else out instead of his top line so alfredsson et al don't have to play against the checking line that's been giving them such a hard time.

But, anaheim could always just take the faceoff and change lines right after, or take a short shift - which is what they'll probably do. It's a bit more difficult, but that's all it really means.

Answer 2

Other than having their fans cheering and the luxury of sleeping in their own beds, home teams have two advantages in play.

1. They get to change lines after the visiting team has put out its players.

2. The home team center gets to put his stick down after the visiting player when preparing to take a faceoff.

These allowances provide a theoretical nuanced advantage to the home team. The first rule allows the home team to match lines or avoid being matched and the second rule gives a slight edge in getting control of the puck.

These rules are not new, were not a result of the new cba and are used at every level of organized hockey throughout north america.

Note: A hurry up faceoff rule was implemented after the 2002 Olympics, whereby both teams had 5 seconds to get ready for the faceoff after the linesman blew his whistle. The directive was to drop the puck regardless of whether or not one or both centers were unprepared for the draw. Not sure where that one went...

Answer 3

It's a rule that has been there as long as I remember. It is designed mostly to quicken up the pace, so teams can't sit there and stand off waiting to see what the other team puts on before you do. This way, for a face off, the away team has a bit of time to change and the home team gets a bit longer to change. The ref will have his arm up and down for amount of time they have.

You are right, during regular season, you concentrate on your game and mostly ignore the advantage. You probably rotate lines just 1,2,3,4. But in play offs, best of 7 series, you concentrate on beating one team. You are more likely to line match. On away ice if you are line matching, you change on the fly the next available chance you get after the face off. But, you still can get stuck with a face-off deep in your zone, and the home team wins the face off.

The rule that changed, was icing. If you ice the puck your team does not get a line change before the face-off at all.

Answer 4

The rule means that after a stoppage of play, there is always a sequence of line changes. Having the home ice advantage the home team always gets the last change, to match up personnel that are on the ice with the opposing team.

Answer 5

The home team gets to put their players (or line) on the ice after the road team when there's a stoppage of play before a face-off. So Ottawa can see who Anaheim puts on the ice, and counter with whatever line they feel will work the best against their line.

Answer 6

When play is stopped, each team is allotted a certain amount of time to change lines. The visiting team must do this first, leaving the home team the ability to match what line they want against their opponents. Very strategic.

Answer 7

it means that the home team gets to see who the visiting team put on the ice first and then put who they want out

Answer 8

When the new CBA was agreed apon that was on rule that was changed. Home team has the last line change of the game.