This is the thirteenth edition of the Power Play Point Potential Rankings this season. As the season goes on there is a larger sample size of data and statistics which makes them more stable and teams are not rising and falling as drastically as they were in November.
Most trends need a month to prove themselves and most teams have seen little fluctuation in their rankings over the past few months. However, there are still a few teams jumping and falling significantly every week, the key with those teams is to project if it is a trend that will continue or if it will return to previous form and stabilize.
Furthermore, don’t overlook how close the rankings actually are in places. For example, in the Defensive Rankings this week, Phoenix fell from fifth to eleventh, but their statistics show only slight improvements and their save percentage is actually worse this week. They’re in a large tier, fourth through eleventh is separated by just over two points, whereas first and fourth are nearly ten points apart.
Expect tiers in the near future, but as always, have a great week fantasy hockey fans and enjoy.
Remember the Defensive Rankings are one through 30 as worst to best, while the Offensive Rankings are first to worst. For example, the New York Islanders are ranked first in the Defensive Rankings, making them the most favorable matchup.
You can download this week’s Power Play Point Potential Rankings below:
January 28 Defensive PPPP Rankings
January 28 Offensive PPPP Rankings
January 21st Defensive PPPP Rankings
January 21st Offensive PPPP Rankings
January 14th Offensive PPPP Rankings
January 14th Defensive PPPP Rankings
Explanation of the PPPP Rankings
2013 PPPP Rankings and Power Play Statistics
*Statistics through January 28th, 2014.
Getting Defensive
- In the December 2nd and 11th editions of the rankings the Nashville Predators were ranked twenty-second. Last week, Nashville came in at fourteenth, as a middle of the pack matchup, this week they’re seventh. There are serious issues in goal for the Preds and Devan Dubnyk isn’t the answer. Monitor this trend for potential exploitation.
- San Jose improved significantly this week. They’re not scoring any goals, but their play shorthanded has also tidied up. At twenty-fourth, the Sharks have gone from a slightly unfavorable matchup, to a potential team to avoid. The last time the Sharks were this low in the rankings was November 10th.
- Anaheim continues their climb out of the league’s most favorable matchup territory, ranking sixteenth this week. In fact, December 2nd was the only time prior to January 14th the Ducks weren’t inside the top ten. This trend was a long time coming and could easily continue.
- The Blackhawks may finally be turning it around, they improved significantly across the board this week. Their talent is superior to their ranking and perhaps it is finally showing now.
On the Offense
- The Bruins’ power play has been between tenth and fifth in the last five editions of the rankings. It is time to call these two power play units legit. In their last three games, the Bruins have eighteen goals and just three of the power play variety. This is a team headed in the right direction.
- It is tough to get excited about the Devils, but their power play is clicking and greatly improved over the past two weeks. Gaining two points on your power play percentage isn’t easy at this stage of the season. Expecting further improvement is ambitious, but they should be able to maintain their play.
- Montreal’s slide continues again this week, making it seven straight. They were the third ranked team on December 2nd and are now fourteenth. If you haven’t sold off your shares and faded in daily games yet, you might as well buy low now. They cannot get any worse, or can they?
- Ottawa has shown only a modest improvement this week, but after hanging around the middle of the pack all season, they might be hitting stride. They boast a number of high-end scorers and when tracking their numbers over a few weeks they’re trending up.
Player Notes
C Nick Bonino, Anaheim Ducks: Still logging top unit power play minutes and now has forty points on the season. Not sure how he isn’t owned in more leagues.
C Tyler Johnson, Tampa Bay Lightning: The only concern is if he sticks with Martin St. Louis when Steven Stamkos returns. However, anywhere in the Lightning’s top six will do.
C/LW Patrik Elias, New Jersey Devils: If he ever lines up with Jaromir Jagr his stock will rise, but he gets solid power play time and is a proven fantasy producer.
C/LW Steve Ott, Buffalo Sabres: If you can handle a potential minus rating in your lineup, Ott’s penalty minutes will add up. He chips in offensively and sees power play time.
C/RW Cody Hodgson, Buffalo Sabres: The Sabres best pivot has ten points in nine games since returning from injury. His right-wing eligibility makes him an option in all fantasy leagues.
LW/RW Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes: The veteran might finally be hitting stride, he has four points in his last four games. He is feisty and has a big shot he gets on net a lot.
D Alex Goligoski, Dallas Stars: Seven points in four games from a rearguard is rare, but Goligoski has been a big part of the Stars’ recent offensive outburst. He is worth a roster spot in all leagues.
D Mark Giordano, Calgary Flames: The Flames are a fantasy afterthought, but Captain Gio can help most fake hockey teams. Don’t be shocked if he has some big minuses though.
D Christian Ehrhoff, Buffalo Sabres: While he is currently producing, the biggest upside attached to Ehrhoff is if he lands on a playoff team. He has a rocket from the point.
The Week Ahead
Thursday, January 30th – Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs: The Leafs’ power play is ranked fourth, while the Panthers are the third most favorable matchup.
Friday, January 31st – New York Islanders at New York Rangers: This will be their third meeting in less than two weeks, which could increase power play opportunities. The Rangers’ power play is on the rise and the Islanders are still the most favorable matchup in the NHL.
Friday, January 31st – St. Louis Blues at Carolina Hurricanes: The Blues have jumped up to number one in the offensive rankings and the Hurricanes are the ninth most favorable matchup.
Saturday, February 1st – Ottawa Senators at Toronto Maple Leafs: There will be plenty of power play opportunities in this one and both teams boast streaking power plays and weak penalty killing units.
Saturday, February 1st – Pittsburgh Penguins at Phoenix Coyotes: The Coyotes recent improvement in the Defensive Rankings will be put to the test and expect the Penguins to beat them up.
Saturday, February 1st – Nashville Predators at St. Louis Blues: Again, the Blues get a favorable matchup. The Predators are the seventh most favorable matchup in the league.
Monday February 3rd – Ottawa Senators at Pittsburgh Penguins: The Pens get a second favorable matchup, as only two teams have a lower save percentage while shorthanded than the Senators.
Tuesday, February 4th – Toronto Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers: A third favorable matchup in a row and second against the Cats.
Tuesday, February 4th – New York Islanders at Washington Capitals: The Islanders aren’t stopping anyone, especially a top team like the Capitals.
Tuesday, February 4th – Ottawa Senators at St. Louis Blues: Another tough matchup for the Sens and another great one for the Blues.
