Maybe a radical shift of personnel is needed but the unit has just not clicked all-season long, as David Alter explains.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have crossed the midway point of the 2024-25 NHL season and it’s official: There is no longer a feeling of overreacting to how bad their power play is.
Traditionally known for their offensive prowess, the Leafs are facing significant challenges with the man advantage. Despite a roster featuring elite talents like No. 34, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and John Tavares, the team’s performance with the power play has been underwhelming. Things reached a new low on Saturday when Toronto went 0-for-3 against a struggling Vancouver Canucks team. Going 0-for-3 is bad enough, but it’s the lack of shot attempts on the net and the odd-man rushes given up the other way due to a lack of executive that have been problematic.
Through games played on January 12, 2025, the Maple Leafs’ power play conversion rate stands at a disappointing 20.6%, placing them 19th in the NHL. This marks a significant decline from previous seasons, where they consistently ranked among the league’s top power play units. For instance, during the 2023-24 season, the team boasted a power play success rate of 24%, positioning them seventh overall.
Before that game, the Leafs gave up a shorthanded goal in a 6-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, forcing head coach Craig Berube to abandon the five-forward power play.
There may be several factors that led to this.
Predictability: Opposing teams appear to have deciphered Toronto’s power play strategies, often characterized by intricate passing sequences that lack the element of surprise. This predictability allows penalty killers to anticipate plays and disrupt passing lanes.
There’s a noticeable reluctance to shoot, with players frequently opting for the perfect play rather than directing pucks toward the net. Head coach Craig Berube emphasized the need for a more direct approach, stating, “We need to shoot pucks more and create opportunities around the net on broken plays”.
Personnel Adjustments: Efforts to rejuvenate the power play have included reassigning players between units. Notably, William Nylander and John Tavares were moved to the second unit to accommodate Max Pacioretty and Matthew Knies on the first. The problem is these strategies implement earlier in the season were quickly abandoned. There was also a period of time where Nylander was getting was what was referred to as the “Ovechkin treatment” where the player would stay on for both units. The Leafs seem to abandoned that.
The Leafs power play is mostly run by assistant coach. Knowned for his offensive abilities during his playing days, it’s unclear what strategies he has adopted that show Toronto has made progress in that department. One move I’d like to see the Leafs try is moving someone like Bobby McMann to the net front of the first power play. While Matthew Knies has had success there, McMann’s rate of goals per 60 suggests the player should get more time on the ice. And let’s face it, the second unit is not getting nearly as much time as the first one does.
Addressing these power play deficiencies is imperative for the Maple Leafs as the season progresses. Enhancing puck movement speed, increasing shot volume, and introducing varied offensive schemes could revitalize their performance. Additionally, considering strategic changes, such as involving defensemen like Oliver Ekman-Larsson in quarterbacking the power play, might offer fresh dynamics. The Leafs have done an admirable job of becoming a better defensive team. Although it has come at the expense of some offense. They should have been able to make up for that while with the man advantage but it hasn’t come to fruition yet.