To say that the Dallas Stars are facing challenges on the power play this season is an extreme understatement. At the time I'm writing this at 1:07 AM on December 21st, they have the 32nd ranked powerplay at home (a.k.a. the absolute worst home powerplay), and overall they are 25th in the league after struggling in the playoffs the last two seasons and having one of the best powerplays the last two regular seasons. Despite having numerous players that can put the puck in the net, they’re failing to capitalize on the man advantage especially lately going 0 for 11 in the last two games. To turn things around, I really think having more of a net-front presence can help the Stars' powerplay.
This is where a player such as Joe Pavelski is SORELY missed. I understood how much he meant to the players on this team, but I underestimated his influence on the powerplay. A dominant net-front presence is essential to a successful power play, and we have yet to see enough of that from the Stars this season. The Stars need players who can screen the goalie, deflect shots, and create chaos in the crease. Currently, they don’t use this strategy enough to maximize rebound opportunities and capitalize on second-chance goals. Players like Jamie Benn or Mason Marchment should be stationed in front of the net more consistently. Their size and strength make them ideal for disrupting goalies’ sightlines, deflecting shots, and battling for rebounds.
Luds from DLLS spoke about how Derian Hatcher, even though he was a defenseman, back in the day would go stand in front of the net when the Stars were struggling on the powerplay, and even went as far to suggest including Bichsel on the powerplay and planting him in front of the net to create more chaos. I honestly think the Bichsel idea is not that far out of the box. By emphasizing the net-front presence, the Stars can create more scoring chances, look for more of those second opportunities, because right now, it's a lot of one-shot-and-done for the Stars' powerplay.
I also think the Stars need to simplify the game more and utilize the "crash-the-net" strategy. The "crash-the-net" strategy is all about aggressive play near the opponent’s goal. It involves players, often forwards, driving hard toward the crease with the goal of disrupting the goalie and creating scoring opportunities. Goalies are trained to keep their eyes on the puck, but when forwards are constantly moving in front of them, it’s much harder for them to focus. Especially considering the Stars have made opposing goalies look really good the last couple of weeks, this would make their jobs that much harder. Additionally, most of the goals scored through this strategy are messy and chaotic, often coming from rebounds or deflections, making them difficult for the goalie to stop. Honestly, the Stars' perimeter shots or the pretty shots are not going in for them right now, so why not try something different like this not just on the powerplay, but five-on-five as well? It is a gritty and physical way to score goals, and the Stars are not used to playing this way, but again, nothing is going in for them right now, so why not try something different even though they're not used to it?
