Who's Hot, Who's Not on the Power Play

There's just seven more calendar days before the grueling season is done. If your fantasy team is still alive, it means the margin is razor thin and you're still looking for that extra edge. Here's the breakdown on the hottest and coldest power plays to close out the season if you're looking for that extra goal or assist that could be the difference between winning and losing.

This will be the last column for this series this season. Thanks for reading.

ELITE

Boston Bruins

Usually, the only time you see Brad Marchand on a highlight reel is when he's getting suspended, but over the last four seasons he's really become an elite finisher despite not having an overpowering shot. Since the 2015-16 season, when Marchand scored more than 30 goals for the first time, he ranks second in goals (144), 13th in power-play goals (33) and seventh in shooting percentage (16.4), and his nine power-play points this month is tied for the league lead. The Bruins have a three-game road trip before playing host to the Lightning to end the season, so it's not an easy schedule, but their power play has converted at a 28.9 percent (11-for-38) rate since March 1, tied with the Panthers for the league lead during that span.

Florida Panthers

Here's a bit of a mind-blowing stat: Keith Yandle's 242 power-play points scored in the cap era is nine points higher than Brent Burns and Yandle did it in 99 fewer games. Yandle ranks third, and with another four points he will tie Dion Phaneuf (I was surprised, too, but it's easy to forget how dominant he was in Calgary) for the lead, and there's a good chance he will do it. The Panthers' power-play has been the league's best the last month, and his 38 power-play points this season is both a career high and the league leader. There is one caveat; the Panthers have only one good matchup in their three remaining games, and that's April 4 against the Islanders, who are 26th in penalty killing (75.8%) this month.

Tampa Bay Lightning

They're the only team this season we've never doubted as Stanley Cup contenders for a single moment, even after an eyebrow-raising 6-3 loss to the defending champions on a marquee Saturday night game. Nikita Kucherov's power-play goal against the Caps was their 10th this month, and barring some sort of 0-for-14 collapse to end the season, the Lightning will set the record for the best power-play mark in the cap era. Not much more can be said. Just keep rolling with the Lightning.

Winnipeg Jets

Even with Dustin Byfuglien returning to the lineup Saturday against the Habs, the Jets elected to keep Jacob Trouba (seven power-play points this month) as their top quarterback, though it ended up being moot since the Habs didn't take a single penalty. Still, it's been mostly Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler, who is just the seventh player in the cap era to record back-to-back seasons of at least 30 power-play assists, keeping everything together. What's really incredible is that the Jets are doing this with Patrik Laine in another slump, scoring just one goal this month, so imagine if everyone was going full-tilt. They have a consistent top-5 unit and despite a four-game road trip to close out the season also face three non-playoff teams.

SNEAKY GOOD

Anaheim Ducks

We knew Ryan Kesler, Corey Perry and maybe Ryan Getzlaf would regress, but Rickard Rakell? He was coming off back-to-back 30-goal seasons and still in his prime, but in 66 games this season Rakell has scored just 15 goals. The good news is he's showing signs of life, scoring six goals this month, four of which have come on the power play. When Rakell's scoring like his usual self, the Ducks offense has some bite, and the addition of top prospect Troy Terry to the top power-play unit has also helped in providing more dimensions to its attack. The Ducks, who have converted 31.3 percent (5-for-16) of their chances the last two weeks, are at home for their final two games, against the Flames and Kings, and both have penalty killing units that range from below average to mediocre.

Vancouver Canucks

It hasn't happened yet, but it's only a matter of time before Travis Green puts Quinn Hughes on the top power play unit.  Alexander Edler still holds the spot on the point as the primary passer to Brock Boeser and Elias Pettersson, but if any of the overtime action against the Kings and Stars was witnessed, it's clear the Canucks' best offense is one that's driven by their three young stars. Boeser's strong play recently has helped the Canucks rank 10th in power-play efficiency this past month, converting 21.6 percent (8-for-37) of its chances, but imagine what it could be with Hughes' creativity. There's a slight chance Hughes' roving style might alienate some teammates, but his ability to change the game with his skill might be worth the gamble. If Green really wants to see what Hughes can do, he has just three games remaining to test him.

SLUMPING

Calgary Flames

The Flames' offense was losing its spark at the worst possible time. The last month it's scored just three power-play goals, only one more than the league-worst Islanders and a perplexing development with five 70-point scorers on the roster. But, the silver lining: The Flames torched the Ducks in a 6-1 win Friday, going 1-for-3 on the power play and Sean Monahan scored four points after going five games without one. The Flames have four games remaining – Sharks, Kings, Ducks, Oilers – and all of their penalty kills ranking 19th or lower. The one player to watch is ex-Bruin Austin Czarnik, an undersized scorer who led the NCAA champion Miami RedHawks in scoring three times and was named to the AHL Second All-Star Team last season, and seems to have some chemistry with Monahan. This is the organization that famously gave up on Martin St. Louis, so they won't be making that mistake again.

Chicago Blackhawks

Jan. 1 to Feb. 28: 25 goals (1st), 34.2 percent (1st)

Since March 1: 3 goals (30th), 9.4 percent (29th)

Wild swings like these in performance are the reason why the Blackhawks' season is both disappointing (no playoffs for the second straight season) but hopeful (Alex DeBrincat scored 40 goals). At this point, it's hugely disappointing because they could've easily made a late push for a playoff spot, and a team led by Captain Serious and veterans with so much Cup experience suddenly feels like a young team trying to find its way. The names are really enticing, but four straight games against playoff-bound division rivals is not an easy schedule and it'll be difficult to bust their slump.

BAD

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Jackets are winning key games in spite of their atrocious power play, going 0-for-5 against the Predators on Saturday and 4-for-33 (12.1 percent) this month, the fifth-lowest mark in the league. The Jackets have the opposite of the usual problem – good on the power play but bad at even strength – but it doesn't hurt that three of their final four opponents are really bad at killing penalties. Misery also loves company, so it's fitting that the Hurricanes (4-for-32) and Canadiens (4-for-33) are fourth- and sixth-worst during the same period. Seriously, the difference between the three teams could just be a timely power-play goal. (This playoff race is exciting!) John Tortorella balances out the two units, but the key player is always the most talented one and that's Artemi Panarin, who leads the team with 18 power-play points.

New York Islanders

The Islanders have had a ton of success this season in spite of a horrific power play, one that has sunk to new lows with just two goals in 36 opportunities this month, a rate of 5.5 percent – essentially twice as bad as the Jackets' flailing units. Mathew Barzal went from 27 power-play points in his rookie season to just 18 this season, and Josh Bailey went from 31 to 14 in year one without long-time linemate John Tavares. It's just time to accept it for what it is – an early-stage Lou Lamoriello team that will focus on defense and structure first before acquiring more talent to score goals.