Power play in hockey can often be the difference between winning and losing a game. Teams that excel on the power play are able to capitalize on opportunities given to them and frequently translate power play chances into goals. In contrast, teams that struggle on the power play have difficulty scoring with the man advantage and miss out on prime scoring opportunities. But just how much of an impact can the power play truly make over the course of a season?
How is Power Play Success Measured?
Power play success is primarily measured by looking at a team’s power play percentage. This percentage is calculated by taking the number of power play goals scored and dividing it by the number of power play opportunities. The higher the power play percentage, the more successful a team is at capitalizing on the man advantage.
Over the course of a season, the power play percentages of the best and worst teams are usually separated by about 10 percentage points. The top power play units will generally have a percentage of around 20% or better, meaning they score on 1 out of every 5 power play chances. Teams at the bottom of the rankings will often have a power play percentage under 10%, making them far less threatening when up a skater.
Other Power Play Metrics
While power play percentage is the most commonly cited statistic, there are other metrics that provide additional insight into a team’s performance on the man advantage:
- Total power play goals – The raw number of goals scored with the man advantage.
- Power play opportunities – The number of power play chances a team earns per game or season.
- Power play time – The amount of time a team spends on the power play.
- Power play shots – The number of shot attempts during power play chances.
These supplementary numbers can give context to a team’s power play percentage and shed light on why some power plays are more successful than others.
How Much Does Power Play Impact Winning?
It’s clear that a good power play unit is advantageous, but just how many extra wins can a strong power play add over the course of a season? A look at historical data shows the power play can make a noticeable difference:
| Season | Top Power Play Percentage | Bottom Power Play Percentage | Difference in Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 28.2% | 12.9% | 21 wins |
| 2017-18 | 26.0% | 14.0% | 16 wins |
| 2016-17 | 23.1% | 12.6% | 19 wins |
Over the last three NHL seasons, the difference between the best and worst power play teams has been worth approximately 15-20 extra wins over an 82 game season. That’s an extra 10-15 points in the standings, which can readily mean the difference between making or missing the playoffs.
Why the Power Play Creates an Advantage
There are a few key reasons why teams with strong power play units gain such an advantage over their opponents:
- More time in the offensive zone – Power plays allow teams to set up their offense repeatedly without defensive pressure.
- Opportunity for rested players – Coaches can deploy their most offensive-minded and skilled players on the power play.
- High-danger chances – The man advantage creates more Slot and crease chances where shooting percentages are highest.
- Zone entry boost – Entering the offensive zone is easier at 5v4 compared to 5v5 situations.
Simply put, the power play creates substantially more offense for teams. With less resistance, tiring out the opposition, and ability to deploy optimal personnel, the man advantage is primed for scoring.
How Coaching Impacts Power Play Success
While player talent plays a big part, coaching schemes and deployment are also pivotal in power play success. The best power plays are strategic and structured, with specific player roles and responsibilities. Here are some of the most important coaching decisions that affect the power play:
Zone Entry Plans
The power play begins with cleanly entering the offensive zone, an area where set plays and schemes make a major difference. Coaches will design controlled breakouts, zone entry drop passes, and rhyme schemes to maximize the ability to gain the zone with possession.
Personnel Choices
Coaching decisions like matching the top players to power play units, assigning roles, playing strengths, and getting the goalie pulls right are imperative. Balancing playmakers, shooters and net-front presences is also key. The right mix of players is essential.
Formation and Rotation
Whether to play an overload or umbrella formation, how to rotate and move the puck to create chances, and which plays to run are more coaching choices. Power plays with good puck support, passing options and continuous motion keep penalty killers off balance.
Adaptability
The best coaches adjust their power play approach based on the score and time of game. Trailing late, an overload with shots on net is preferred. But with a lead, a conservative umbrella to control possession may be smarter.
The right coaching tactics lead directly to greater power play success. Poor or predictable schemes are much easier to shut down.
How Power Play Has Evolved in Recent Seasons
Power play strategy and effectiveness has evolved over the past decade. Here are some of the key trends that have shaped the man advantage:
More motion and rotation
Today’s power plays utilize much more rotation, interchangeability and continuous puck movement compared to static, fixed formations in the past. This motion aims to create open passing lanes and keep penalty killers shifting.
Behind the net playmaking
Stationing a forward behind the net has become popular to probe for chances in high danger areas. Behind the net passing opens up backdoor plays and forces difficult reads for defenders.
Shot-first mentality
Teams are emphasizing faster power play strike times and increased shot volumes from anywhere on the ice. The shot mentality jumps on defenders before they can get set and creates rebounds.
Point shot targeting
Purposefully using point shots, deflections and screens have grown as a percentage of power play goals. Long-range point bombs are direct chances and create havoc in front.
In general, speed, deception and shooting have taken on bigger roles in today’s power play attack compared to a decade ago.
Best Practices for Power Play Success
Based on modern power play tactics and what the top teams implement, here are some best practices for power play success:
- Clean, controlled zone entries with a plan
- Crisp passing and continuous puck movement
- Player rotation and interchangeability
- Movement to create openings and passing lanes
- Behind the net playmaking
- Fast power play strike times
- Shoot often, from all areas
- Net-front screens and deflections
- Point shots and rebounds
- Unpredictability
Teams that adhere to these power play best practices give themselves the best chance of excelling with the man advantage.
Worst Power Play Habits to Avoid
On the flip side, here are some poor power play habits that should be avoided:
- Dumping the puck in and chasing – Giving up possession
- Perimeter passing without movement – Allows penalty killers to stay in position
- Being static and predictable – Makes defenders’ reads easier
- Gripping their sticks too tight – Hinders creativity and instincts
- Over-passing – Misses opportunities to shoot
- Playing hot potato – No purpose or direction
- Telegraphing shots – Allows blocks and shooting lanes to close
The power play underperforms when it becomes passive, careless and predictable. Maintaining aggressiveness, energy and execution boosts the man advantage.
Key Stats of Successful Power Plays
By examining the statistics of the highest-scoring power play teams, we can pick out recurring traits that drive success:
Elevated Shooting Percentage
The top power play units convert on shots at exceptionally high rates, typically 2-3 percentage points above normal. More high-danger chances and goalie screens contribute to extra finishing ability.
High Shot Rates
The best power plays average over 1 shot per minute of power play time, attempting 5+ shots on a typical 2 minute chance. Power plays are slower to set up at 5v5, so shot volume jumps with the man advantage.
Increased Scoring Rates
Top power play teams average nearly 1 goal per 20 minutes of power play time. That’s around 3 times the rate of even strength scoring across the league as whole.
Higher Expected Goal Rates
Successful power plays also produce much higher rates of expected goals, a metric measuring shot quality and danger. Common traits include closer shot distances and better shooting angles.
In summary, dominant power play units excel in shot volume, quality, conversion rates and goal production compared to standard even strength play.
Common Power Play Formations
Most power play formations fit into one of two main structures – the overload or the umbrella.
Overload Power Play
The overload concentrates three players on one side of the ice, typically with two forwards down low and one defenseman at the point. This creates an obvious man advantage on one half of the zone to exploit.
Umbrella Power Play
The umbrella formation spreads players out more evenly across the offensive zone, with one forward at the net-front and three distanced like points on an umbrella between the top, circles and point. This aims to open up more shooting lanes.
Coaches may favor one setup over the other, but often employ both depending on the situation and opposition. Movement and rotation are key either way.
Special Teams Matchups
Since the power play creates such a competitive edge, opponents try to counter this by using their best defensive players. How coaches match lines and deploy key penalty killers against the power play can pivotally swing outcomes.
Defensive Forward Matchups
Coaches often match their top defensive forwards against an opponent’s first power play unit. Forwards adept at clogging shooting lanes and blocking shots limit chances.
Shutdown Defensive Pairs
Similarly, a team’s top shutdown defense pair will assume responsibility against top power plays. These defenders reduce time and space available while keeping aggression low.
Two-Way Forward Discipline
Responsible two-way forwards are also favored for penalty kill duties. Their awareness and positioning create turnovers while limiting dangerous chances against.
However, teams must carefully manage the burden on these players, as overly taxing top penalty killers can decrease even strength effectiveness.
Individual Player Impact
While power play success stems from a cohesive unit, individual players still have an enormous role in swinging outcomes. Here are player types that boost the power play:
Puck Moving Quarterbacks
Offensive defensemen who can calmly distribute the puck from the point and launch bombs on net can control the pace and potency of power plays.
Hands in Close
Forwards with quick hands and finishing ability who can convert in tight spaces make the power play more lethal. They pull defenders toward them.
Playmaking Wizards
Creative forwards with vision who can thread seams and set up teammates generate chances and unpredictability.
Net Presence Screens
Forwards who thrive by parking at the top of the crease to create traffic, screens and deflections bring an essential physical element.
A power play needs a mix of these skillsets to maximize opportunities and capitalize at a high conversion rate.
Most Points Contributed on Power Play
Taking a look at which players accumulated the most power play points over the past three seasons reveals who makes the biggest offensive difference with the man advantage:
| Player | Power Play Points |
|---|---|
| Nikita Kucherov | 124 |
| Brad Marchand | 115 |
| Nathan MacKinnon | 113 |
| Connor McDavid | 107 |
| Brayden Point | 101 |
These elite offensive players dominate the power play leaderboards by leveraging their playmaking and scoring skills with the man advantage.
Conclusion
In summary, the data shows that power play performance has a significant influence over team success in hockey. A difference of just a few percentage points on the power play can equate to 10-15 extra points in the standings over a season. Coaching and personnel decisions are crucial in dictating whether a team excels or falters when up a man. For both power play and penalty killing, special teams matchups against top players are pivotal in tight games. Overall, the nuances of the power play and how teams perform with the man advantage plays an underestimated role in driving outcomes in the NHL.
Key Takeaways
- Power play percentage is the main metric for performance, with top units around 20% or higher.
- The power play differential is worth about 15-20 wins per season between the best and worst teams.
- Coaching strategy and personnel choices are crucial to success.
- Special teams matchups against top lines matter greatly.
- Individual player skills like playmaking, finishing and puck movement fuel the power play.