Here are the latest Power Play Point Potential Rankings for fantasy hockey. The numbers have been crunched, the data reviewed and the analysis follows.Make sure to check the player notes for potential additions to your fantasy rosters and the weekly schedule is critical for daily gamers.
For any new visitors, or first time viewers of the rankings, the Offensive PPPP Rankings deal with team’s power play success. Currently, the Pittsburgh Penguins are ranked first, which represents them as the leagues best power play.
The Defensive PPPP Rankings are the opposite. The New York Islanders are once again ranked first, which highlights them as the worst penalty kill, or most favorable matchup according to the rankings.
Another point to consider is the time a team spends shorthanded. For example, the Philadelphia Flyers spend on average over seven minutes a game shorthanded, whereas the San Jose Sharks spend less than four and a half.
Finally, these rankings are a tool to find mismatches and aid in coin flip type decisions. Don’t bench Alex Ovechkin for Jussi Jokinen just because the Capitals are facing the stingy Rangers. However, if you’re deciding between players with similar upside, why not go with the favorable matchup?
You can download this week’s Power Play Point Potential Rankings below:
Last Week’s Offensive PPPP Rankings
Last Week’s Defensive PPPP Rankings
Explanation of the PPPP Rankings
2013 PPPP Rankings and Power Play Statistics
*Statistics through December 11th, 2013.
Getting Defensive
- Toronto has become an ideal matchup to target. Their penalty kill percentage has dropped a tenth shy of five whole points since November 26 and there is no reason to expect them to curb the trend anytime soon. The Maple Leafs also spend, on average, the third most time shorthanded a game.
- Patrick Roy‘s Avalanche are in a similar free fall and have jumped up eight spots in the rankings. They currently sit around the league average in terms of the rankings, however, anytime there is such a dramatic climb it is a trend worth noting and monitoring.
- On November 26th the Lightning were the fifth toughest matchup according to the rankings, but now sit 7 points higher and are trending in the wrong direction. Tampa Bay shouldn’t be considered a difficult matchup and could eventually prove, instead, to be on the target list.
- The last faller of note are the Washington Captials. On November 18th, the Capitals were the fourth toughest matchup in the NHL, they currently sit fifteenth. Until there are signs of improvement the Capitals should be viewed as a favorable matchup going forward.
- Trending in a positive direction are the Calgary Flames. They have climbed out of most favorable territory and into the middle of the pack. It is a trend to note, but expecting any further improvement is overly optimistic. Expect regression from the Flames in the next few weeks.
- The Los Angeles Kings have also shown significant improvement over the last month and sit twenty-fourth in the rankings. Unlike the Flames, the Kings success is sustainable and they could easily continue the trend and become even more stingy on the penalty kill. Note though, The Kings spend a lot of time shorthanded.
- In the Big Apple, the Rangers have finally fallen down the rankings into avoid territory. They sit as the fourth toughest matchup and boast the goaltending and company to take up permanent residence along with the Canucks, Devils, Penguins and Bruins.
- Similarly, the Habs have got stingy of late and sit just above the Rangers in the rankings as the fifth toughest matchup. Montreal is on a serious roll, but continue to be a difficult team to peg, the shackling from the Kings Tuesday night stands as evidence. But, they’re getting the job done shorthanded.
On the Offense
- The Philadelphia Flyers are finally getting it going with the man advantage. On November 18, the Flyers were twenty-fourth in the rankings, currently, they sit fourteenth and their power play success rate has improved over four points. Their top power play unit is criminally underpriced in daily games.
- Similarly, the Ottawa Senators have shown significant improvements and currently sit twelfth in the rankings. With their clientele there is no reason they cannot maintain the recent success. Monitor the Bobby Ryan and Jason Spezza reuniting going forward too.
- Finally, Anaheim is showing signs on the power play. This is the first time this season they haven’t been among the bottom ten teams in the rankings. Their power play success rate has improved over five points since November 18th and while they’re scorching hot, their top power paly unit should be targeted.
- The Avalanche are also sliding in the offensive zone on special teams. Their ranking on November 26th was thirteenth best, currently, they sit twenty-fourth. Young teams usually go through periods of highs and lows throughout the season, but don’t expect them to perform like they did to start the season.
- Nashville has also shown a decline, which is likely connected to the injury to Shea Weber. Although, the Predators Captain has been back for two games, there is no reason to expect Nashville to flirt with a top ten placement in the rankings again. They’re a middle of the pack team at best.
- Darryl Sutter might want to start practicing his power play. Obviously, the penalty kill has improved greatly, but the power play is headed in the other direction. They clicked last night in Toronto, but there is too much talent for the Kings to sit twenty-second in the rankings. This would be a great time to buy low on the Kings’ top players.
- The League’s top four teams have only reseeded themselves. The Pittsburgh Penguins are first in the rankings, followed be the Washington Capitals, St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs respectively. The Blackhawks sit in fifth and are a power play to watch, they’re clicking of late.
- The same five teams are at the bottom of the rankings again and this time in the exact same order. The Florida Panthers sit in the basement with the Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, Carolina Hurricanes and Vancouver Canucks each one spot ahead of the former.
