New York Islanders Score A Beautiful Power Play Goal

The New York Islanders haven’t had much success on the power play, this season and last. So there’s cause for celebration when they get a nice one.

The New York Islanders power play is terrible. How bad is it? Their power play is so bad that it ranks dead last in the league for efficiency!

Before last night, the Islanders had a 6.7% power play efficiency rating. They aren’t an absolute 0% thanks to a Ryan Strome power play goal against the Washington Capitals. The only goal on fifteen attempts until they went up against the league-leading Canadiens.

Of course, Tavares scored the goal. It went unassisted, but if it wasn’t for a Ladd stick check and screen in front of former Isles goaltender Al Montoya, there wouldn’t have been a goal. But Ladd never “possessed the puck” or whatever so no point for him.

It Isn’t Always About the Goal

A power play goal is nice whenever it happens. Whether it’s from a team that’s more apt in getting them, like say the Blue Jackets with 50% efficiency. Or if it’s on a team that just can’t seem to capitalize on the man advantage, like the Isles.

But sometimes it’s not only about the goal. Sometimes it’s about the buildup. And this buildup was perfect, although incredibly linear and simple. Just make room for JT.

Within seconds of Tavares entering the offensive zone with speed the puck finds it’s way to the back of the net.

The Point of a Power Play

The whole idea of the power play is to create favorable circumstances for the victimized team in which they have a better chance to score a goal. The literal ice is figuratively tilted in their favor.

To be this bad the Isles must be doing something spectacularly poorly to be scoring only two goals on seventeen chances after tonight. So when they actually score one and when it’s done this spectacularly, it needs to be celebrated.

Next: Can the Real Ryan Strome Please Stand Up?

Hopefully, the Islanders power play can build on this. With that Tavares power play goal the Islanders jump to an 11% efficiency rating. Moving them off the floor of the power play efficiency floor. Maybe that PP bump might help the Isles get a few wins. Maybe.