from Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe,

Much has changed in the new NHL. The game is faster, the goals fewer, and the hits don’t necessarily keep on coming, certainly not as many of those big, explosive, seek-and-destroy hits that 5-10 years ago were the stock footage of video montages played on arena big screens across the league.

What happened to all that thump? The overall emphasis on the game’s speed, hand in hand with coaches preaching puck possession, have altered the dynamic of the hitting game, particularly for the six blue liners who suit up each night to protect the back ends of their respective teams.

“I think there is still room to make hits, and being physical is still a big part of the game,” noted Bruins captain Zdeno Chara, who delivered more that 200 smacks a season, 2006-08, his first two years in residence in Boston. “But the last few years, the puck is the key — play the puck first. It is always nice to finish checks, and make big splash hits. But I think to be able to prevent the pass going through you, or stopping the play with your stick, is more effective or valuable [today] than going out there and making the big hit, and the puck goes through and someone makes a play. The puck is the key.”

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