The point (ice hockey)
The point is a defensive position along the offensive blue line.
In ice hockey, the point refers to the area along the edges of the rink, just inside the opposing team's blue line. A player positioned where the blue line meets the boards in the offensive zone is said to be at the point. Typically, both point positions are occupied by defencemen. During a power play, these spots are always called the points, although a forward may occasionally fill one of them.
The main jobs of a player at the point include trying to keep the puck inside the offensive zone when the other team tries to clear it, receiving passes from forwards to reset the play, and firing slapshots toward the net in hopes of scoring, creating a rebound, or setting up a deflection. On a power play, one of the point players usually acts as the "quarterback"—the one who controls puck movement through passing and takes many shots. Because the point is far from the goal, direct goals from there are rare; most happen when the shot is screened or tipped.
In hockey's early days, the two defencemen were called the "point" and "cover-point." The point played deeper, while the cover-point had more freedom to move forward. The modern term "the point" likely comes from that old terminology.
- Positions
- Two points, typically occupied by defencemen
- Power play role
- Always known as the points; one may be a forward
- Primary responsibilities
- Keep puck in offensive zone, receive passes to reset play, take slapshots
Lore & Background
The point's responsibilities include attempting to keep the puck in the offensive zone when the defensive team attempts to clear, receiving a pass from the forwards to allow the play to reset, and taking slapshots at the goal, hoping to score, create a rebound or a deflection. On the power play, one of the players playing the point is typically the 'quarterback'—that is, the one who controls (through passing) where the puck goes, and also takes many shots. Given the difficulty of scoring directly from the point due to the distance to the goal, goals scored from the point are typically either on screens, or are tipped goals.
In the early years of ice hockey, the two defencemen were known as the 'point' and 'cover-point' players. The term the point may have been derived from that early terminology. The point played further back, while the cover-point was allowed more latitude to roam forward.
Reader's Guide
The point holds a distinct significance in ice hockey as the primary offensive-zone position for defencemen, especially during power plays. Its role as the quarterback of the power play underscores its strategic importance: the player at the point directs puck movement and generates shots, often from distance, relying on screens or deflections to score. The position's legacy traces back to early hockey, where the point and cover-point formed the defensive pairing, with the point playing deeper and the cover-point roaming forward. This historical foundation shaped modern usage, where the point remains a key tactical zone for resetting plays and maintaining offensive pressure. The difficulty of scoring directly from the point highlights the need for teamwork—shots are rarely clean goals but instead create rebounds or tip opportunities. The point's enduring relevance is evident in its specialized power-play role, where a forward may occasionally take one of the point positions, adapting the traditional defensive alignment to maximize offensive output.
Did You Know?
- On the power play, one point player often serves as the 'quarterback,' controlling puck movement and taking many shots.
- Goals from the point are typically scored on screens or as tipped goals due to the distance from the net.
- In early hockey, the two defencemen were called 'point' and 'cover-point,' with the point playing further back.
- The term 'the point' may have been derived from the early 'point' and 'cover-point' terminology.
More in Ice Hockey Terminology, Part 2 1-24
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