Jamie Langenbrunner rolls his tape into tiny tubes and forms a cross pattern for extra grip. Blades are taped according to how a player likes to carry the puck. Some players tape the entire blade, others only a certain area so the puck will find that area of the blade quickly. Most use black tape on their blades to better conceal the puck from the goaltender. The thought is that like a pitcher hiding his grip until the last moment, a goalie will have a harder time seeing a black puck come off a black blade.
Skate blades are just as important.
Smith sharpens the skates of the entire team before each game. Because players actually are cutting on the very inside edge of the blade, there are small indentations in the bottom of each blade. Some players like a deep hollow to better dig in their edges, either for strength in skirmishes along the boards or for cutting and stopping. Modano has the flattest hollow on the team. He said having more of the blade's surface on the ice allows him to glide more freely.