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.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. New Jersey Devils
| Maple Leafs PP | Devils PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 30.0% (5th) | 80.8% (14th) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 2.7 | 4.4 |
| SH%/SV% | 17.19 SH% (6th) | .836 SV% (23rd) |
| Shots | 63.72 (4th) | 38.33 (4th) |
| Scoring Chances | 77.65 (1st) | 44.6 (8th) |
| High-Danger Chances | 31.86 (1st) | 12.54 (1st) |
| PP1 Usage | 61.7% | —– |
| Devils PP | Maple Leafs PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 26.4% (6th) | 83.7% (7th) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 4.1 | 2.8 |
| SH%/SV% | 22.81 SH% (2nd) | .875 SV% (10th) |
| Shots | 43.73 (29th) | 45.41 (10th) |
| Scoring Chances | 39.9 (29th) | 48.65 (17th) |
| High-Danger Chances | 15.35 (25th) | 16.22 (6th) |
| PP1 Usage | 67.8% | —– |
Analysis:
New Jersey’s penalty-killers have done a respectable job of limiting their opposition but have been let down by their goaltending. It won’t get any easier for Keith Kinkaid tonight against the sharpshooting Maple Leafs. The Leafs are creating the most scoring chances and high-danger chances with the man advantage in the NHL. At 2.7 powerplays a game, they see some of the fewest opportunities in the NHL. The undisciplined nature of the Devils means you can rely on at least one power-play goal for the Maple Leafs.
The Devils’ 26.4 PP% is heavily inflated by their 22.81 SH%. They’ll need to generate more shots if they want to crack the Leafs’ seventh-ranked PK. Frederik Andersen has been the Maple Leafs’ best penalty-killer this season. He’s posted a ridiculous .938 short-handed SV%.
Washington Capitals vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
| Capitals PP | Blue Jackets PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 34.0% (1st) | 75.5% (24th) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 3.4 | 3.6 |
| SH%/SV% | 25.93 SH% (1st) | .800 SV% (28th) |
| Shots | 44.97 (27th) | 50.91 (14th) |
| Scoring Chances | 44.97 (21st) | 45.82 (11th) |
| High-Danger Chances | 14.99 (26th) | 20.36 (17th) |
| PP1 Usage | 73.1% | —– |
| Blue Jackets PP | Capitals PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 11.9% (31st) | 74.5% (25th) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 3.9 | 3.7 |
| SH%/SV% | 6.58 SH% (30th) | .761 SV% (30th) |
| Shots | 46.16 (23rd) | 37.24 (3rd) |
| Scoring Chances | 42.52 (24th) | 41.29 (4th) |
| High-Danger Chances | 15.79 (24th) | 22.67 (21st) |
| PP1 Usage | 58.3% | —– |
Analysis:
The Capitals need to generate more chances if they want to keep their title of the number-one ranked power-play. Their 25.93 SH% has carried their power-play to this point and isn’t sustainable over a full season, even with Alexander Ovechkin on the team. The Capitals’ shot 14.16% on the power-play last season; expect their rate this season to fall more closely in line with that sooner than later. Columbus doesn’t do a great job of limiting high-danger chances against, so Washington’s power-play still carries some upside tonight. John Carlson has been ruled out of tonight’s game, opening up a spot for Matt Niskanen on the top unit.
The Blue Jackets have had no luck on the man advantage this season, owning the worst conversion rate in the league. It won’t get any easier for them tonight as the Capitals are surrendering just 37 shots per 60 on the PK. Braden Holtby seems to be coming into form which could be great news for the Capitals’ penalty-kill. Their .761 short-handed SV% is the second-worst in the NHL.
Detroit Red Wings vs. New York Rangers
| Red Wings PP | Rangers PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 26.1% (8th) | 77.3% (22nd) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 3.1 | 3.9 |
| SH%/SV% | 22.0 SH% (3rd) | .874 SV% (13th) |
| Shots | 48.37 (20th) | 63.61 (26th) |
| Scoring Chances | 50.31 (16th) | 54.1 (24th) |
| High-Danger Chances | 25.15 (10th) | 26.32 (27th) |
| PP1 Usage | 54.7% | —– |
| Rangers PP | Red Wings PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 16.3% (22nd) | 82.1% (9th) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 3.3 | 4.1 |
| SH%/SV% | 12.12 SH% (20th) | .875 SV% (12th) |
| Shots | 52.74 (16th) | 52.17 (16th) |
| Scoring Chances | 42.35 (25th) | 46.3 (12th) |
| High-Danger Chances | 19.18 (18th) | 18.26 (11th) |
| PP1 Usage | 57.2% | —– |
Analysis:
For all their struggles this season the Red Wings have found some success on special teams. Their eight-ranked power-play is inflated by the third-highest shooting percentage in the league. The Rangers’ PK is giving up the fifth-most high-danger chances in the league, so the Red Wings’ sharpshooting could continue tonight.
The Rangers have a below-average power-play and draw a difficult matchup tonight against the Red Wings’ penalty-kill. They do a good job of suppressing chances and have received solid goaltending from Jimmy Howard. They should blank the Rangers’ power-play tonight.
St. Louis Blues vs. San Jose Sharks
| Blues PP | Sharks PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 30.8% (3rd) | 86.8% (3rd) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 4.0 | 3.4 |
| SH%/SV% | 20.78 SH% (5th) | .909 SV% (5th) |
| Shots | 54.99 (11th) | 43.26 (7th) |
| Scoring Chances | 57.13 (4th) | 51.77 (22nd) |
| High-Danger Chances | 22.85 (11th) | 28.84 (30th) |
| PP1 Usage | 58.8% | —– |
| Sharks PP | Blues PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 20.0% (17th) | 80.0% (16th) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 3.1 | 3.7 |
| SH%/SV% | 13.16 SH% (16th) | .857 SV% (21st) |
| Shots | 59.11 (6th) | 52.67 (17th) |
| Scoring Chances | 55.99 (6th) | 56.85 (27th) |
| High-Danger Chances | 28.0 (4th) | 20.07 (16th) |
| PP1 Usage | 61.6% | —– |
Analysis:
The Blues create a lot of scoring chances on the man advantage and they’re making it count, shooting over 20% on the season. They draw a challenging matchup against the Sharks but get the benefit of playing them on a back-to-back. A fatigued Sharks team could open up more opportunities for the Blues to convert on the power-play. If you’re targeting St. Louis’ power-play tonight, keep in mind their second unit sees as much usage as any in the league.
The Sharks power-play is generating shots and scoring chances at a good clip but can have trouble finishing at times. The Blues give up a lot of scoring chances on the PK, which is a recipe for disaster considering their goaltending. Chad Johnson is expected to get the start for St. Louis tonight. He has a career short-handed SV% of .861.
Winnipeg Jets vs. Colorado Avalanche
| Jets PP | Avalanche PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 33.3% (2nd) | 84.1% (6th) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 3.0 | 4.1 |
| SH%/SV% | 15.66 SH% (10th) | .922 SV% (2nd) |
| Shots | 73.69 (1st) | 59.44 (22nd) |
| Scoring Chances | 62.15 (2nd) | 48.48 (16th) |
| High-Danger Chances | 31.07 (2nd) | 24.24 (25th) |
| PP1 Usage | 76.3% | —– |
| Avalanche PP | Jets PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 26.4% (7th) | 78.4% (19th) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 3.5 | 3.9 |
| SH%/SV% | 15.0 SH% (11th) | .899 SV% (7th) |
| Shots | 55.82 (8th) | 68.84 (29th) |
| Scoring Chances | 46.06 (20th) | 58.41 (29th) |
| High-Danger Chances | 21.63 (13th) | 23.64 (23rd) |
| PP1 Usage | 62.4% | —– |
Analysis:
Semyon Varlamov has carried the Avs’ penalty-kill all season and shows no signs of slowing down. He faces the ultimate test tonight as the Jets do a tremendous job of generating chances for their heavy-shooters. If Colorado takes their average of four minor penalties tonight, expect Winnipeg’s power-play to convert at least once.
Both teams will want to stay out of the box in this one. Colorado’s fearsome power-play should have no problem cracking the shell that is Connor Hellebuyck. Winnipeg is giving up the third-most shots per 60 on the PK, relying far too much on their goaltender. They won’t survive against Nathan Mackinnon and Mikko Rantanen playing that way.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Minnesota Wild
| Ducks PP | Wild PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 14.6% (25th) | 86.0% (4th) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 2.8 | 4.1 |
| SH%/SV% | 12.28 SH% (18th) | .910 SV% (4th) |
| Shots | 45.79 (25th) | 55.06 (19th) |
| Scoring Chances | 46.6 (19th) | 43.76 (6th) |
| High-Danger Chances | 12.85 (30th) | 13.41 (2nd) |
| PP1 Usage | 62.4% | —– |
| Wild PP | Ducks PK | |
| PP%/PK% | 20.4% (15th) | 78.9% (18th) |
| PP/PK per Gm | 3.3 | 3.7 |
| SH%/SV% | 13.89 SH% (14th) | .884 SV% (10th) |
| Shots | 58.6 (7th) | 70.05 (30th) |
| Scoring Chances | 61.04 (3rd) | 65.97 (31st) |
| High-Danger Chances | 28.49 (3rd) | 29.25 (31st) |
| PP1 Usage | 54.4% | —– |
Analysis:
The Ducks’ dormant power-play shouldn’t be expected to do much of anything against the Wild. The Wild are doing an excellent job of limiting shots to low-danger areas, playing to their strength in goal. Backup Alex Stalock is expected to start for the Wild tonight, giving Anaheim’s power-play a glimmer of hope.
The Wild’s power-play production tonight hinges on whether or not they can beat John Gibson. The opportunities will be there; the Ducks penalty-kill is surrendering the second-most shots and the most scoring chances in the league. Gibson will be rested tonight after Ryan Miller got the nod against the Flames on Wednesday. His .915 short-handed SV% this season is right in line with his career mark of .910.
Top PP Advantages
1. Colorado
2. Toronto
3. Winnipeg
