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Washington Capitals Power Play Analysis

By Dave Stevenson

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Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday, I took an in-depth look at the Washington Capitals penalty kill. Today, I’ll take an in-depth look at the Washington Capitals power play. The Washington Capitals currently have the third most efficient power play in the NHL, with a 23.4% success rate. How does it stack up to past power plays? Who are the most efficient Washington Capitals players on the power play? Those are two questions that I will attempt to answer as I take an in-depth look at the enigma that is the Washington Capitals power play.

How Does This Power Play Stack Up To Past Washington Capitals Power Plays?

Though the Washington Capitals power play this year is certainly very good, it is not quite as efficient as it has been in recent years. Let’s look at just power play percentage:

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  • 2014-2015: 23.4%
  • 2013-2014: 23.4%
  • 2012-2013: 26.8%
  • 2011-2012: 16.7%
  • 2010-2011: 17.5%
  • 2009-2010: 25.2%
  • 2008-2009: 25.2%

So while it doesn’t live up to the glory days of the Washington Capitals power play, the power play this year is still pretty good. It’s tied for fourth when you look at the past seven seasons. Considering how high the bar has been raised, that’s pretty impressive. Now let’s take a more in-depth look to see how good each power play was. I’ll be using shots for per 60 minutes, goals for per 60 minutes, and CorsiFor percentage. In my mind, a good power play not only scores, but consistently generates shots. Even at worst, a power play that generates shots will tire out the other team. These stats are courtesy of war-on-ice.

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So this year’s power play actually generates more scoring chances than it has in past seasons. Granted, it doesn’t score as much as it has in the past, but that mostly due to a relatively low shooting percentage . Part of it might have to do with the fact that the book is out on Alex Ovechkin and now teams know where he’s going to shoot from. The hilarious part? It doesn’t really matter that everyone knows where he’ll be shooting from, he still scores anyway.

Washington Capitals Power Play Usage

Here’s how the Washington Capitals deploy their players during the power play. I’ll limit this to people who play over a minute per game on the PP. These stats are courtesy of war-on-ice.

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This can be broken up into two units. The first unit is Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Mike Green, Marcus Johansson, and Troy Brouwer. The second unit is John Carlson, Matt Niskanen, Andre Burakovsky, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Joel Ward.

Now let’s take a look at their stats. I’ll be using individual shots for per 60 minutes, goals per 60 minutes, assists per 60 minutes, and points per 60 minutes. These stats are courtesy of war-on-ice and the individual shots for per 60 minutes came from Hockey Analysis.

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So what can we learn from this? In my opinion, Kuznetsov and Johansson should switch units. They play the same role anyway. Kuznetsov is a bit more of a scoring threat, and I’m all for the Washington Capitals power play being a little more unpredictable than letting Ovechkin shoot every time.

I’m a little concerned about Burakovsky’s numbers. He needs to shoot the puck more. He’s a very good shooter. If he could shoot well (and often) enough to allow the Washington Capitals to move Niskanen from his current power play position (Ovechkin’s) back to his more natural power play position (at the point), I think that would do wonders for the power play. Carlson’s numbers are very encouraging. He could replace Green on the first power play unit next season.

Ward’s shots for/60 aren’t that impressive. I’d at least consider putting Tom Wilson out there in his spot on the second unit and see if he can add anything to the power play. If he can stay out of the penalty box, Wilson’s size could make him a very ideal member of the power play. Wilson could bring to the Capitals’ power play what Wayne Simmonds brings to the Flyers’ power play.

With a few tiny changes, the Washington Capitals power play could score more goals and create even more shot opportunities.

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