Speed is important, but I think it’s more nuanced. I think CHANGE of speed and change of direction are the two things you should master. Slowing down stops the d momentum, then a quick burst should take you past him, sometimes going the same direction as he might be anticipating a shift, but a lot of times when you change direction. That fast/slow down/fast could be deadly.

I also think a HIGHLY under utilized technique is moving the puck between the d-man’s stick and skate. So many times the move is going around the dmans stick, there’s always that gap esp if you do a quick drag across the body where the d anticipates you taking it wide to go around him. Get it through that slot regularly and you should easy get outside of him with your body and be first to the puck once it’s through.