That is defense . Every NHL player finds it very easy to advance the puck if there is no one around him. If he is alone with the puck, he has time to carry it forward before an opponent tries to stop him. If he is alone with the puck, he has time to pass to a mate who is uncovered. If he is alone with the puck close to the goal, he has a good chance of whacking it in.
Offense is about finding empty ice.
Every child starting in hockey learns this right away. The puck is advanced by carrying it or passing it through open ice. If there is lots of open ice, the players fill it and the puck will be shuttled toward the goal at a lightning pace. Defense is about finding empty ice and filling it first. It is not about checking, not really.