Powerplay evaluation

[thayner]

Special Teams Report

Top 5 Powerplay (PP points in parenthesis):

1. LA Kings (31.1%)
A true team effort. Two solid units; Stein (13-9-22) leads the way, bolstered by Hodge (4-11-15) and veteran sniper Thompson (8-4-12). Potvin (1-13-14) has been a revelation as a QB. 12 different players have recorded at least 1 PP goal so far this season!

2. Philadelphia Flyers (27.8%)
You would assume this groups success would be primarily attributable to McKay (2-10-12), but he’s actually tied for 4th in PP effectiveness on the Flyers so far. The driving force has been super QB Vydareny (4-11-15). Speedster Brabec (4-9-13) and Raciot (6-6-12) are also key pieces.

3. Dallas Stars (25.0%)
The Wagar (2-12-14) to Lind (13-4-17) has been lethal in the early going. The Stars employ an unusually fast paced powerplay system, which relies on overloading the D and opening Lind up for a one timer in the high slot. Opponents have yet to adapt.

4. Minnesota Wild (24.6%)
No surprise this smart, veteran squad ranks near the top. Ogren (2-8-10) is the best defenceman in the league. With Tuma (4-6-10), Hunt (5-5-10) and Kozar (1-4-5) on the half boards, Ogren has plenty of options.

5. New York Islanders (24.6%)
20 year old defenceman Platil (1-11-12) has been impressive, injecting life into a once dormant powerplay. Sigouin (10-8-18) and Howard (7-8-15) are the two primary threats up front.

Bottom 3 Powerplay:

28. Phoenix Coyotes (12.9%)
Sanders (3-3-6) is an excellent QB, but as a whole the unit is misfiring. Lacks a triggerman up front.

29. Anaheim Ducks (12.7%)
Ducks are a team devoid of talent at the moment. That lack of finish is especially evident on the powerplay. Ducks fans needn’t worry, however- the two most talented players in the organizations (18 year old Rooney and 19 year old Lovell) will help immensely when they arrive.

30. Boston Bruins (11.7%)
Never has a basement dwelling team been so optimistic. The Bruins are probably twice the team they were a year or two ago- the problem is that previous management left the team is such a state that even a huge improvement isn’t enough to push them into the top 8 in the East- at least, not yet. While the PP has been MIA so far, several key pieces are their. Chambers (1-4-5) is on his way to becoming one of the best in the game. Up front, Krikunov (5-4-9) is a skilled setup man and Gill (0-2-2) has much potential as a crease crashing powerforward.