Analyzing the Canucks’ power play and how it can improve
By Lucas Celle
The Vancouver Canucks have one of the best power play units in the NHL. But at times, it doesn’t look nearly as threatening as it should. Is their room for improvement?
The Vancouver Canucks’ power play has been one of the biggest success stories for the organization so far this season. Last year, the club finished 22nd in the league in power play percentage at 17.1.
This year, their power play has skyrocketed to fifth in the NHL (24.1%) and second in total power play goals behind only the Boston Bruins. The Canucks are now known as one of the most dangerous teams on the man advantage, thanks in large part to their lethal top unit of Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, Bo Horvat, J.T. Miller and rookie sensation Quinn Hughes.
Indeed, Vancouver’s ability at 5-on-4 has improved leaps and bounds over previous years. It’s easy to understand why the top power play unit should be performing at an extremely high, borderline elite level due to the supremely talented players on it.
But while their numbers look great in the 2019-2020 campaign, it still feels as though there’s a higher ceiling this team’s power play can reach. Throughout this season, Vancouver has relentlessly feasted on the penalty kills of teams that are either dwelling in the basement of the league or struggling in the middle of the pack, such as the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings and Nashville Predators.
This has caused their PP stats to become partially inflated and recently, the top unit has been noticeably struggling. Since the calendar switched to 2020, the team power play has gone 2-for-22 for a measly 9.1% in 33:55 of ice time, including four separate 5-on-3 opportunities they failed to convert on.
In Sunday’s afternoon clash with the Minnesota Wild, Vancouver went 1-for-8 with the man advantage and failed miserably to generate much of anything for the first five power plays before Pettersson’s tip-in goal midway through the second period. That goal broke a streak of 17 straight power plays without a goal.
The power play has truly become a polarizing topic because their impressive statistics don’t seem to consistently translate into what fans see on their TV screens. What can the team do to make their power play even more effective than it already is? Let’s talk about it.