An Early Look at the New York Islanders Power Play in 2024-25

The New York Islanders need to do something about the power play this upcoming season. Last year, the Isles’ power play ranked 18th in the league at 20.3%. While that’s not necessarily bad, middle of the pack isn’t necessarily good, either.

The issue with having a middle-of-the-pack power play lies in the missed opportunities it represents. In other words, failing to score with the man advantage is like leaving money on the table. Instead of cashing in, a missed power play chance gives the opposition a chance to get back into the game.

With that in mind, how does this upcoming season’s power play project?

Overall, there are some interesting changes. The biggest one is the addition of Anthony Duclair. Duclair projects to play on the second unit with fellow newcomer Maxim Tsyplakov. But we’ll get back to that in a minute.

Beyond Duclair and Tsyplakov, there aren’t many changes to look at. According to Daily Faceoff, the top unit looks pretty much the same as last season: Bo Horvat down the middle with Kyle Palmieri, Mathew Barzal, and Brock Nelson flanking Horvat. Then, there’s Noah Dobson quarterbacking that top unit.

On the surface, that’s a solid first power play unit. However, I would personally like to see a stronger net-front presence, someone who can pounce on rebounds and create a screen in front of the netminder. This unit lacks that, making it a pass-first, shoot-later unit.

If that’s the game plan, the New York Islanders will need to cycle the puck constantly throughout the zone, looking to set up Palmieri or Nelson for one-timers or quick shots. Moreover, Dobson will need to find open spots, allowing the puck to move freely.

Looking at the New York Islanders’ Second Power Play Unit

As mentioned earlier, Tsyplakov and Duclair figure to play on the second power play unit. Daily Faceoff projects Anders Lee upfront with Ryan Pulock on the point. The other spot seems to be a mystery, with perhaps someone like Simon Holmstrom or Kyle MacLean getting a look.

The biggest advantage I see with this unit is Lee’s net-front presence. However, pucks will need to hit the net in order for Lee to cash in on opportunities. That’s where Mike Reilly could be a good option. Reilly’s known to have a good shot and move the puck well enough.

Reilly, coupled with Duclair’s speed and some fancy footwork from the rest of the crew could make a significant difference in the power play’s effectiveness.

Now, there’s one other key point, here. Having two different-looking power play units helps the Isles keep the opposition off balance. The shot-happy top unit seems to contrast with the more net-front second unit. Having that more physically engaging second unit could make a huge difference in helping the Isles improve their power play.

Lastly, it’s worth pointing out that the top power play team last season, the Tampa Bay Lightning, had a relatively lackluster season. Yet, their performance with the man advantage kept them afloat, allowing the Bolts to make the playoffs.

That’s how valuable the power play can be.