Abbreviation for defense. Good "D", or a D to D pass.

Debatable call

A controversial call made by the referee or linesmen which is questioned by either team, commentators or spectators.

Defenseman

One of two players on the ice who has the primary role of protecting the defensive zone. When on the attack, the defensemen are used as a last resort to keep the puck in the attacking zone, and when defending, they protect the front area of the goal from attacking players.

Defensive Shell

A team who adopts a protective state as opposed to an offensive one. The objective of a team in a defensive shell is to protect a lead by not taking any chances of turning over possession of the puck to the other team.

Defensive Specialist

A player who's primary role is to prevent the other team from scoring or getting into the play.

Defensive Zone

The area between the end boards and the defending teams blue line. This zone changes ends each period because the teams switch ends.

Deflection

The act of changing the direction of the puck after it has been shot with part of your body or stick.

Defunct team

A team that is no longer in the league. There are many teams who were part of the NHL but are no longer active. Some of these teams include the Hamilton Tigers, Oakland Seals, Quebec Nordiques and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Deke

A deceptive move by a player to put the opposing player out of position and then maneuver around him.

Delay of game

The act of stopping the play of the game by intentionally shooting the puck out of the playing area, holding onto the puck or other act which stops play unnecessarily. The referee may assess a 2 minute penalty for an infraction.

Delayed offside

A situation where an attacker is offside, but the opposing team has possession of the puck and has the opportunity to move the puck out of their defensive zone. In this case the whistle will not be blown, unless an attacking player touches the puck in the offensive zone prior to the puck crossing the blue line into the neutral zone.

Delayed penalty

A penalty that is not called until his team has possession of the puck. In some cases the team who is not having the penalty called on them will pull their goalie in order to obtain a sixth skater. See extra attacker

Dental work

Term used for a player who has lost a tooth (teeth) and has to leave the game to have it taken care of

Dig

To use one's body and/or stick to gain control of the puck. Usually done along the boards.

Dinged

Hit by the puck

Disk

The puck see biscuit, bootheel, puck, rubber

Dive

The act of intentionally falling or faking injury after being hit in order to make the hit look like an infraction, see diver. Obvious dives can result in a 2 minute penalty.

Diver

A player who takes a dive.

Done like dinner

A phrase referring to a team who is severely beaten or overmatched. The originator of the phrase was Toronto Maple Leaf, Dave "Tiger" Williams.

Double Minor

Two penalties assessed against the same player that must be served consecutively.

Down a man

A team that is playing with one man less than their opponents. See also shorthanded

Draft eligible

A player who has not yet been selected by an NHL team in the Entry Draft and is 18 or older.

Draft Pick

A player who is selected by an NHL club in one of a series of drafts. Usually it is the Entry Draft, held each year whereby players are selected by an NHL club from various leagues. However there are other drafts held from time to time such as an expansion draft where new teams are entering the NHL and require players.

Drawing a penalty

Getting the referee, either through acting or diligent work, to call a penalty on an opposing player.

Drop pass

A pass to a team mate where the man carrying the puck leaves it as the player skating behind picks it up. See leave the puck, cycling the puck.

Drop the gloves

Fight. See also altercation, brouhaha

Dump and chase

A style of hockey where the offensive shoots the puck into the attacking zone and then skate in to get it. Also referred to as shooting the puck in.

Elbow pad

A piece of equipment that protects the elbows

Elbowing

Hitting an opponent illegally with one's elbows. It may result in a 2 minute minor penalty.

Empty net goal

A goal scored when the goalie has been pulled from the game. This usually occurs in the last minutes of the game when a team is down by a goal and wants to try for a tie. The goalie is pulled and another skater is put on the ice.

End to end action

Play that goes from end to end with very few stoppages in play and where both team create scoring chances.

End to end rush

A rush that begins in the defensive end and terminates in the offensive end, usually with a shot on goal.

Enforcer

A player whose specialty is making sure his team is not physically abused. The enforcer is often fighting.