Movement is one of the cornerstones of offensive hockey.
In the following clip, Johnny Gaudreau (#13 in white) is moving throughout this possession. He is moving before he gets the puck, he maintains his speed as he picks it up, and he accelerates away once he gets it. He maintains his speed and is in constant motion with the puck leading to the goal. He never is standing still long enough to be checked.
On the other hand, most players STOP moving to receive the puck or lose their momentum while figuring out what to do with it. Once your momentum is gone, you have to move the puck immediately or you’re going to lose it.
Watch what happens to Patrick Laine (in white) below when he receives the puck and isn’t moving. He quickly is checked by three players in succession and loses the puck.
