Fantasy Hockey: Power Play Point Potential Rankings

The Columbus Blue Jackets celebrate after right wing Marian Gaborik
The Columbus Blue Jackets celebrate after right wing Marian Gaborik
Oct 20 2013 Columbus OH USA The Columbus Blue Jackets celebrate after right wing Marian Gaborik right scores during the 1st period of the game against the Vancouver Canucks at Nationwide Arena Rob Leifheit USA TODAY Sports

The data has been pulled and the numbers have been crunched. Folks, your Power Play Point Potential Rankings are updated. For more information on these Ranking’s specific details check here.

It is still early, but trends are beginning to form and these Rankings are going to be especially useful in your Daily Games preparation. If you’re chasing Power Play Points in your weekly H2H contest, look ahead and try to find an exploitable matchup. Last Week my highlighted matchups through Friday’s games went good for nine Power Play Goals, with only two games not featuring a goal with the Man Advantage.

Using all the information available is vital in all Fantasy Sports, don’t fall behind the competition.

You can download this week’s Power Play Point Potential Rankings below:

Latest PPPP Defensive Rankings

Latest PPPP Offensive Rankings

Last Week’s PPPP Defensive Rankings

Last Week’s PPPP Offensive Rankings

2013 PPPP Rankings and Power Play Statistics

*Statistics through October 18th, 2013.

Getting Defensive

  • The Oilers have gone from bad to worse and currently sit second in the rankings. Continue to roll out their opponents with confidence in Daily Games and any coin flip  player decisions in your year-long leagues.
  • It was a rough week for the Blues, they climbed 10 spots in the Rankings, but San Jose and Chicago will do that. They only play twice next week, but the Canucks and Predators matchups should help stabilize their Ranking again.
  • The Blackhawks are missing David Bolland and Michael Frolik. That much is clear. Chicago improved this week, but they’re still the most favorable matchup in the league.
  • The Coyotes only dropped down five spots, from fifth to 10th, but expect that trend to continue. They’re gritty and Mike Smith plays his angles well. I wouldn’t consider Phoenix a favorable matchup going forward.
  • Pittsburgh climbed right up the Rankings and are this week’s biggest mover. They hadn’t surrendered a Power Play Goal until this week. They currently sit just outside the top 10. I project them as a middle of the pack team though.
  • Ottawa is trending in the right direction for Sens fans. They fell 10 spots, down to 17th, which aligns with where they finished last season and they’ll likely continue the trend. They’re a very tough matchup.
  • Sitting at 26th, Los Angeles is currently one of the toughest teams to score a Power Play Goal on. With strong goaltending and excellent shut-down defenseman, they should remain among the toughest matchups going forward.
  • The Sharks also boast a gritty defense corps and capable forwards who are quick, but equally gifted with good hands and stick skills. Antti Niemi also is an exceptional goalie too, which always helps.

On the Offense

  • The Blue Jackets have soared up the Rankings into sixth place. This is surprising, but they boast a high-end defensive corps and Marian Gaborik is a proven game changer. They might regress, but maintaining a top 10 rankings isn’t out of the question.
  • The Red Wings are back. They climbed 20 spots, from dead-last to 10th. There is too much experience, offensive vision and creativity for them not to be a mainstay at the top of the Rankings before long.
  • Dallas also jumped up the Rankings 16 spots. They wont see billing on the marquee, but there is a lot of talent on both PP units and Alex Goligoski hasn’t even got going. Don’t get too excited though, they’re only a middle of the pack Power Play unit.
  • The Oilers are a mess defensively, we know this, but they also dropped 11 spots in the Offensive PPPP Rankings this week. Dallas Eakins needs to get things figured out. Monitor Taylor Hall‘s injury after he left Saturday’s game too.
  • The Minnesota Wild climbed four spots to the fifth best ranking. This is a prolific power play. The top unit is stacked, while the second unit has an interesting youth and veteran balance. Expect the Wild’s Power Play to be a major factor all season.
  • Both the Anaheim Ducks and Vancouver Canucks are underachieving with the Man Advantage. Both will improve their production, so keep an eye on whether any of their top player may be a buy-low option.
  • The Maple Leafs are producing on the Power Play and the production is coming from both units. Only the Capitals have a better Power Play Percentage and there is no reason to expect things to change.

Player Notes

Tyler Johnson, Tampa Bay Lightning: I don’t know if he is worth a roster spot yet, but he is getting PP time and putting up points thus far. Johnson is someone to monitor.

Richard Panik, Tampa Bay Lightning: Like Johnson, his value is correlated with getting opportunities with the Man Advantage. However, Panik is seeing time with the top unit.

Boone Jenner, Columbus Blue Jackets: His stock went high when he started the season on the top line. His 2 PP Goals Thursday night are most rlevant now, so keep an eye on Jenner going forward.

Jared Spurgeon, Minnesota Wild: He is getting the top unit minutes and has already chipped in on the PP. Jonas Brodin could cut into his minutes, but for now Spurgeon is producing.

Seth Jones, Nashville Predators: He is logging nearly 30 minutes a game and on the top PP unit. He should be owned in all leagues and has unlimited offensive upside.

Jakub Kindl, Detroit Red Wings: Niklas Kronwall‘s health is in question, so Kindl will be the man to step up. He is readily available and capable of contributing.

Patric Hornqvist, Nashville Predators: He always scores his share and he always puts pucks on net. Hornqvist is criminally underowned right now.

Alex Chiasson, Dallas Stars: He is on the top PP unit and skating in the top 6. Chiasson is a power forward producing at a high level, with no reason to expect a slide.

Ryan Murphy, Carolina Hurricanes: Offensive gifted and already producing, Murphy is on the top PP unit. He is a fringe Fantasy add at this point, but could easily post 35 points this season.

Todd Bertuzzi, Detroit Red Wings: Get him on your rosters. He is skating on the top line with Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg and is a proven scorer.

Kyle Okposo, New York Islanders: Playing alongside John Tavares is huge, but also lining up with him on the PP is even better. This will be Okposo’s breakout season.

Sami Salo, Tampa Bay Lightning: If you’re getting top unit PP minutes with the Lightning, you’re going to produce. Salo has a big shot and is getting those minutes.

The Week at a Glance

Monday, October 21st – Calgary Flames at Los Angeles Kings: The perfect matchup for the Kings’ PP to get back in sync and notch a few.

Tuesday, October 22nd – Anaheim Ducks at Toronto Maple Leafs: You wont find many teams that are polar opposites in the Rankings at both ends of the rink.

Tuesday, October 22nd – Edmonton Oilers at Montreal Canadiens: This is a great matchup for the Habs Power Play. Daily Gamers will want to pony up for P.K. Subban.

Tuesday, October 22nd – Nashville Predators at Minnesota Wild: The Rankings highlight a mismatch in favor of the Wild PP, but I’m skeptical.

Thursday, October 24th – Anaheim Ducks at Montreal Canadiens: Tough trip through Canada continues for the Ducks. Their special teams are a mess thus far.

Thursday, October 24th – Chicago Blackhawks at Tampa Bay Lightning: Can the Blackhawks Penalty Kill finally get it together to challenge one of the best Power Plays in the league?

Thursday, October 24th – Calgary Flames at Dallas Stars: The Stars PP is climbing up the Rankings, while the Flames are the 4th most favorable matchup.

Thursday, October 24th – Calgary Flames at Dallas Stars: The Stars PP is climbing up the Rankings, while the Flames are the 4th most favorable matchup.

Thursday, October 24th – Washington Capitals at Edmonton Oilers: The best Offensive PPPP team against the 2nd most favorable matchup in the NHL. Get Alex Ovechkin in your Daily Lineups.

Friday, October 25th – Carolina Hurricanes at Colorado Avalanche: In a balanced night for the Rankings, the Aves PP is the only real mismatch, plus they’re at home.

Saturday, October 26th – New York Rangers at Detroit Red Wings: The Red Wings ascend up the Rankings will be aided by this mismatch. The Rangers are in serious trouble.

Saturday, October 26th – St. Louis Blues at Nashville Predators: As it stands this is a great opportunity for the Blues’ Power Play.  A top PP unit against a weak Predators’ Penalty Kill.

Saturday, October 26th – New York Rangers at Detroit Red Wings: The Red Wings ascend up the Rankings will be aided by this mismatch. The Rangers are in serious trouble.

Saturday, October 26th – Washington Capitals at Calgary Flames: The Capitals cruise through Alberta continues, as the Flames are only slightly better than the Oilers.

Sunday, October 27th – Edmonton Oilers at Los Angeles Kings: The Kings plummeted down the Offensive PPPP Rankings this week, but this matchup will help them rebound.

author avatar
Neil Parker
Neil Parker wears the C for The Fake Hockey, in addition to contributing to The Fake Baseball and The Fake Football in more of a Timmy Try Hard role. You can also find my work at davidgonos.com, here on XN Sports and have just been fortunate to launch Fantasy Sport Locker Room. !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');