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Neutral Zone Regroup: Five Back

Neutral Zone Regroup
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Neutral Zone Regroup: Five Back image
Widely adopted by European pro leagues, the Five Back regroup calls for Fs to swing back toward the defensive zone to support the Ds. All five skaters then build speed and attack the neutral zone using short lateral passes to pick the defensive structure apart. This regroup is unpopular in the NHL, as teams prefer to station Fs at the far blue line to create quick-strike opportunities.