When you are building your Daily Fantasy Hockey lineup it can be difficult to decide which team to target, which line to target and which power-play to target.
To try and make that decision easier, Dylan and I have created the Power-play report. Below you will find an in-depth look at how each team’s power-play will match-up with the opposition’s penalty-kill. We have also broken down how much their top power-play plays in comparison to their second unit.
Stats
- – All totals are per 60 minutes of 5v4 ice time.
- – SF/SA: Shots for/Shots against
- – SCF/SCA: Scoring Chances For/Against
- – HDCF/HDCA: High-Dangers Scoring Chances For/Against
- – PP1 Usage: The percentage of power-play time the top unit has played in the last five games.
Boston Bruins vs. Vancouver Canucks [7:00pm]
| Bruins PP | Canucks PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 29.5% (5th) | 81.0% (12th) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 3.1 | 3.8 |
| SH%/SV% | 15.52% (10th) | .847 SV% (23rd) |
| Shots | 50.4 (18th) | 43.71 (8th) |
| Scoring Chances | 50.4 (15th) | 53.42 (23rd) |
| High-Danger Chances | 19.99 (17th) | 20.03 (16th) |
| PP1 Usage | 67.8% | —– |
| Canucks PP | Bruins PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 19.1% (19th) | 79.5% (17th) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 2.9 | 4.1 |
| SH%/SV% | 12.50% (17th) | .884 SV% (9th) |
| Shots | 42.7 (30th) | 62.05 (25th) |
| Scoring Chances | 41.18 (29th) | 44.07 (5th) |
| High-Danger Chances | 14.49 (27th) | 18.89 (12th) |
| PP1 Usage | 59.7% | —– |
Analysis:
The Bruins might have a hard time getting the puck to the net against the Canucks’ PK. Vancouver is surrendering the eighth-fewest shots at 5v4 this season. Jacob Markstrom has predictably struggled of late and has the potential to be victimized by the sharpshooting of the Bruins. Expect Boston to convert on at least one of their chances tonight.
The Canucks are struggling to generate chances on the man advantage but are being bailed out by a 12.50% shooting percentage; they can thank Elias Pettersson for that. This unsustainable formula should be exposed tonight by Jaroslav Halak, of all people. The 33-year-old netminder is off to a phenomenal start with the Bruins, posting a league-best .952 SV% and 1.45 GAA in eight appearances.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Arizona Coyotes [7:00pm]
| Flyers PP | Coyotes PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 15.7% (24th) | 90.2% (1st) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 3.4 | 4.2 |
| SH%/SV% | 9.52% (24th) | .915 SV% (3rd) |
| Shots | 54.92 (13th) | 39.18 (4th) |
| Scoring Chances | 53.61 (9th) | 41.68 (4th) |
| High-Danger Chances | 28.11 (6th) | 14.17 (3rd) |
| PP1 Usage | 58.3% | —– |
| Coyotes PP | Flyers PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 15.8% (23rd) | 69.1% (30th) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 2.9 | 4.7 |
| SH%/SV% | 11.11% (23rd) | .807 SV% (27th) |
| Shots | 43.1 (29th) | 59.89 (23rd) |
| Scoring Chances | 36.39 (31st) | 57.01 (27th) |
| High-Danger Chances | 10.53 (31st) | 28.86 (29th) |
| PP1 Usage | 6041.0% | —– |
Analysis:
The Coyotes’ number-one ranked PK is the result of elite goaltending and a suppressing group of penalty-killers. The Flyers have struggled to convert on their power-play chances this season and it won’t get any easier for them tonight against Arizona. JVR will provide a much-needed boost to this powerplay when he finally returns from his lower-body injury.
On the flipside of this matchup, the Coyotes’ normally dormant powerplay is actually a threat to produce against the Flyers. A combination of poor goaltending and penalty-killing has given the Flyers the second-worst PK in the league. They’re giving up the third-most high-danger chances in the league and clearly can’t rely on being bailed out by their goaltenders. To make matters worse, they’re taking nearly five minor penalties a game.
Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers [7:00pm]
| Panthers PP | Oilers PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 20.0% (16th) | 73.5% (27th) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| SH%/SV% | 9.46% (26th) | .818 SV% (25th) |
| Shots | 55.48 (10th) | 47.21 (11th) |
| Scoring Chances | 41.23 (28th) | 47.21 (13th) |
| High-Danger Chances | 17.24 (23rd) | 19.35 (14th) |
| PP1 Usage | 65.5% | —– |
| Oilers PP | Panthers PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 22.2% (13th) | 68.4% (31st) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 3.6 | 4.0 |
| SH%/SV% | 16.44% (8th) | .784 SV% (29th) |
| Shots | 49.93 (19th) | 46.01 (10th) |
| Scoring Chances | 53.35 (10th) | 44.77 (8th) |
| High-Danger Chances | 20.52 (14th) | 17.41 (8th) |
| PP1 Usage | 65.4% | —– |
Analysis:
The Panthers could afford to be a little more selective in their shot taking on the man advantage, as the numbers indicate. They are averaging the 10th-most shots with the man advantage but the 28th-most scoring chances. In the same breath, their shot volume is helping to keep their powerplay above water despite a poor SH%. You have to like their chances of getting a powerplay goal tonight if they fire their normal rate of shots at a struggling Cam Talbot.
The Panthers’ struggles on the PK can be directly attributed to goaltending. They have the worst-ranked PK in the league despite giving up the eight-fewest scoring chances and high-danger chances. It’s hard to like Roberto Luongo’s odds of correcting these trends tonight against Connor McDavid and company.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Islanders [7:30pm]
| Lightning PP | Islanders PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 25.4% (10th) | 79.5% (16th) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| SH%/SV% | 14.63% (13th) | .892 SV% (7th) |
| Shots | 55.18 (11th) | 57.42 (21st) |
| Scoring Chances | 50.47 (14th) | 53.89 (24th) |
| High-Danger Chances | 14.13 (29th) | 23.85 (23rd) |
| PP1 Usage | 56.8% | —– |
| Islanders PP | Lightning PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 20.4% (15th) | 89.3 (2nd) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 3.1 | 4.1 |
| SH%/SV% | 12.31% (18th) | .952 SV% (1st) |
| Shots | 53.88 (16th) | 63.09 (26th) |
| Scoring Chances | 55.54 (7th) | 51.45 (21st) |
| High-Danger Chances | 28.18 (5th) | 18.38 (11th) |
| PP1 Usage | 64.6% | —– |
Analysis:
Tampa’s powerplay has performed as expected up to this point and should continue to post above-average rates all season. They draw a decent matchup tonight against an Islanders team that’s surrendering a lot of chances on the PK. Robin Lehner has been the driving force behind the Isles’ success on the PK this season. He will have his hands full tonight against Stamkos and Kucherov.
While the Lightning are surrendering a lot of shots on the PK, the numbers suggest they’re doing a good job of limiting them to low-quality areas. They’ve given up the 11th-fewest high-danger chances on the PK, a recipe for success when combined with the stellar play of Andrei Vasilevskiy. They have a good chance of blanking Mathew Barzal and the Isles’ PP tonight.
Ottawa Senators vs. Vegas Golden Knights [7:30pm]
| Senators PP | Golden Knights PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 27.1% (6th) | 82.5% (9th) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 3.2 | 2.8 |
| SH%/SV% | 17.81% (6th) | .851 SV% (22nd) |
| Shots | 55.6 (9th) | 42.25 (6th) |
| Scoring Chances | 53.31 (11th) | 37.75 (2nd) |
| High-Danger Chances | 26.66 (8th) | 15.28 (5th) |
| PP1 Usage | 54.8% | —– |
| Golden Knights PP | Senators PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 11.8% (31st) | 70.0% (28th) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 3.4 | 3.7 |
| SH%/SV% | 7.50% (28th) | .882 SV% (11th) |
| Shots | 54.2 (15th) | 77.11 (31st) |
| Scoring Chances | 47.42 (17th) | 50.65 (19th) |
| High-Danger Chances | 17.61 (22nd) | 24.95 (26th) |
| PP1 Usage | 61.3% | —– |
Analysis:
Despite all of their struggles at even strength, the Senators have actually been quite effective on the power-play. They face a formidable foe tonight in the Golden Knights PK. Vegas’ ninth-ranked PK is being dragged down by a .851 short-handed SV%. They could blank Ottawa’s power-play tonight if Marc-Andre Fleury can tighten up his form.
Vegas’ basement-dwelling PP catches a break tonight as they face the fourth-worst penalty-killing team in the NHL. Despite his best efforts, Craig Anderson routinely succumbs to the ridiculous amount of shots he faces on the PK. Keep in mind the Golden Knights did toy with their PP units recently, moving William Karlsson off of the top unit.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres [7:30pm]
| Canadiens PP | Sabres PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 15.3% (25th) | 77.8% (20th) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 3.9 | 3.3 |
| SH%/SV% | 13.24% (16th) | .880 SV% (12th) |
| Shots | 45.32 (26th) | 60.98 (24th) |
| Scoring Chances | 47.32 (18th) | 47.76 (14th) |
| High-Danger Chances | 18.66 (20th) | 19.35 (15th) |
| PP1 Usage | 61.1% | —– |
| Sabres PP | Canadiens PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 19.6% (17th) | 83.3% (7th) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 3.7 | 3.8 |
| SH%/SV% | 9.48% (25th) | .853 SV% (21st) |
| Shots | 72.84 (2nd) | 41.76 (5th) |
| Scoring Chances | 59.03 (4th) | 49.98 (18th) |
| High-Danger Chances | 28.89 (3rd) | 17.8 (9th) |
| PP1 Usage | 57.1% | —– |
Analysis:
The power-play is the one area where Montreal has struggled this season. They catch a break tonight as they take on a PK unit that’s surrendering over a shot a minute, but Linus Ullmark will be tough to beat. The 25-year-old boasts a .934 SV% and 2.00 GAA in four appearances this season.
The numbers suggest Buffalo has been unfortunate on the PP; they own the 17th-best conversion rate despite ranking top-four in shots, scoring chances, and high-danger chances. The mediocre play of Carey Price should help Buffalo make good on at least one of their chances tonight.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Carolina Hurricanes [8:30pm]
| Blackhawks PP | Hurricanes PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 14.0% (27th) | 69.8% (29th) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 3.3 | 3.6 |
| SH%/SV% | 6.35% (31st) | .708 SV% (31st) |
| Shots | 47.03 (22nd) | 36.71 (1st) |
| Scoring Chances | 42.55 (23rd) | 35.18 (1st) |
| High-Danger Chances | 20.16 (16th) | 19.12 (13th) |
| PP1 Usage | 61.3% | —– |
| Hurricanes PP | Blackhawks PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 12.5% (29th) | 76.6% (23rd) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 3.7 | 3.1 |
| SH%/SV% | 6.52% (29th) | .868 SV% (17th) |
| Shots | 60.83 (5th) | 64.66 (28th) |
| Scoring Chances | 51.57 (13th) | 57.65 (28th) |
| High-Danger Chances | 25.12 (10th) | 26.49 (28th) |
| PP1 Usage | 59.3% | —– |
Analysis:
Two of the league’s worst teams on special teams will go head-to-head tonight in Carolina and Chicago. Jeremy Colliton will make his NHL coaching debut tonight behind the Blackhawks’ bench. Don’t be surprised if he toys with the Blackhawks’ PP units in his first game. Carolina’s penalty-killers simply can’t get a save from their goaltender. They’re surrendering the fewest shots and scoring chances in the league but a .708 shorthanded SV% means they’ve killed off just 69.8% of their penalties. Scott Darling is expected to start for the Canes tonight. He allowed three goals on 25 shots in a loss to the Golden Knights on Saturday.
Carolina’s PP should slowly start to improve as their shooting percentage falls more closely in line with the amount of chances they produce. The Blackhawks are giving up the fourth-most shots and high-danger chances in the NHL, giving the Hurricanes’ dormant power-play an excellent chance of breaking out tonight.
Dallas Stars vs. San Jose Sharks [8:30pm]
| Stars PP | Sharks PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 24.4% (11th) | 86.5% (3rd) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 2.7 | 3.6 |
| SH%/SV% | 14.71% (12th) | .908 SV% (4th) |
| Shots | 66.02 (3rd) | 43.55 (7th) |
| Scoring Chances | 55.34 (8th) | 52.26 (22nd) |
| High-Danger Chances | 21.36 (13th) | 29.48 (31st) |
| PP1 Usage | 69.1% | —– |
| Sharks PP | Stars PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 21.3% (14th) | 80.4% (14th) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 3.1 | 3.5 |
| SH%/SV% | 14.29% (14th) | .887 SV% (8th) |
| Shots | 59.03 (7th) | 52.3 (17th) |
| Scoring Chances | 57.34 (5th) | 59.89 (30th) |
| High-Danger Chances | 27.83 (7th) | 21.09 (19th) |
| PP1 Usage | 69.3% | —– |
Analysis:
The Stars aren’t as much of threat on the PP without Alexander Radulov in the lineup, but they are in a good spot to produce tonight. The Sharks’ success on the PK has derived from limiting shots and stopping an above-average rate of them. Their fourth-ranked shorthanded SV% has been heavily influenced by Aaron Dell. Martin Jones is expected to start tonight and cannot be relied on to the same extent. He’s posted a lowly .899 SV% in 11 starts this season.
The Sharks PP is generating a lot of shots and scoring chances but is converting at a below-average rate. The Stars PK has been routinely bailed out by their goaltending this season. Anton Khudobin is expected to start in place of Ben Bishop tonight. He’s played well in his short time with the Stars, posting a .929 SV% and 2.22 GAA in four starts this season.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Minnesota Wild [10:30pm]
| Kings PP | Wild PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 16.7% (21st) | 85.2 (4th) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 3.4 | 4.2 |
| SH%/SV% | 12.28% (19th) | .908 SV% (5th) |
| Shots | 47.02 (23rd) | 56.04 (12th) |
| Scoring Chances | 42.07 (27th) | 44.83 (10th) |
| High-Danger Chances | 18.97 (19th) | 13.45 (2nd) |
| PP1 Usage | 65.0% | —– |
| Wild PP | Kings PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 19.6% (18th) | 82.9 (8th) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 3.3 | 3.2 |
| SH%/SV% | 13.24% (15th) | .870 SV% (16th) |
| Shots | 59.29 (6th) | 47.44 (12th) |
| Scoring Chances | 62.78 (2nd) | 44.8 (9th) |
| High-Danger Chances | 28.77 (4th) | 14.93 (4th) |
| PP1 Usage | 55.6% | —– |
Analysis:
The Kings’ below-average power-play will have a hard time improving on their totals tonight against the Wild. Minnesota is an above-average team in terms of suppressing shots and chances, and have gotten stellar goaltending to boot. Devan Dubnyk gets the nod for the Wild tonight. He’s posted an absurd .926 shorthanded SV% so far this season.
The Wild are one of the best teams in the league in terms of generating chances with the man advantage but have struggled to convert. The Kings’ PK has held up even without franchise goaltender Jonathan Quick. Jack Campbell is expected to get another start tonight. The former No. 11-overall pick stopped 30 of 31 shots in a 4-1 victory over the Ducks on Tuesday.
Top PP Advantages
1. Edmonton
2. Tampa Bay
3. Carolina
