With the latest patch, the ref makes way more calls for interference, cross checking and slashing. This makes positioning even more important than before. Blocking the passing lanes is a very safe strategy, since you don't have to do anything except be in the right position, which is quite easy when you're not checking. You will automatically poke the puck away if the pass comes close enough to you. This is a good strategy to use when facing an opponent who does a lot of one-timers.

To successfully block passes:

a) Have two or more players in the passing lane - if you miss, your team mates might poke the puck away.
b) Move with very little speed, be still if possible, as this raises your chances of a successful block.
c) Have the blade of your stick in the passing lane.

In this clip I'm playing the center and I position myself in the middle slightly in front of my defenders.

Here's an example of what you can accomplish, outnumbred 2-1, just by being positioned right.