Penguins Power Play Needs Specific Change
The Pittsburgh Penguins power play has been unacceptable this season and something needs to change.
PITTSBURGH – The story of the Pittsburgh Penguins power play this season has felt like one step forward and three steps back as the group continues to cost the team crucial standings points. The Penguins recently score a goal on the man advantage in four straight games, but since then it’s looked downright awful – again.
In the two games following the four-game goal streak, the Penguins have laid eggs with a pair of 0-4 performances. Both of those games turned out to be overtime losses for the Penguins. If the power play groups were able to find the back of the net, it’s likely they could have walked out with a couple of wins.
Failing to score on the power play and losing by just one tally has been a trend all season and is a huge reason why the Penguins are sitting outside of the playoffs.
In the 10 games where the Penguins have lost by just one goal, they’ve scored a power play goal in two of those games. Eight other occasions the Penguins let chance after chance slip away as they continue to fight for a playoff spot.
Considering the Penguins are only two points back of a wild card spot, scoring a power play goal in just one of those eight games might make a world of difference for them. Give this team an average conversion rate and the Penguins could genuinely be fighting for top spot in the Metropolitan Division.
In 137 power play opportunities, the Penguins have scored 19 times good for 13.87%. That number is 26th in the NHL and well below the league average of 20.63%.
Something big needs to change in the second half of the season, whether it be taking Erik Karlsson off the top unit of even taking the play calling ability away from Todd Reirden. The Penguins just can’t continue on with the power play in it’s current form if they have any hope at the postseason.
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