This article is part of our Beat the Cap series.
Beat the Cap: Winning With Special Teams
Before teams took the ice Friday, 22.6 percent of all goals were of the power-play variety. Over the past two seasons the mark was 22.1 percent. Ignoring power-play statistics, personnel and trends is highly unadvised, especially in daily formats where matchups take on more significance.
However, there are also teams who score a much greater percentage of their goals with the man advantage. Pittsburgh, Columbus, Washington, San Jose, Detroit, Philadelphia and Ottawa are all scoring 30 percent or more of their goals on the power play.
FanDuel awards a half-point bonus for power-play goals and assists, which heightens the significance of utilizing power-play data. However, even without a power-play point bonus on Draft Kings, the sheer volume of goals scored on the power play makes them a vital consideration in daily hockey, regardless of site.
Skating on a highly successful power-play unit can bolster a player's fantasy stock in a hurry. In favorable special teams matchups entire units get a boost in daily contests. When deciding between equally priced players, considering the difference in power-play matchup is advised.
The Ebb
Recent trends and personnel are important considerations to keep tabs on. Few teams are like the Penguins, who aim to utilize the same five players -- barring injury -- on their No. 1 power-play unit all season. Injuries obviously open up opportunities, too. Recently, Matt Niskanen thrived in Mike Green's absence.
However, the opposite is true, again. It isn't easy to replace a shutdown defenseman, skilled puck retriever or fearless shot blocker. The Chicago Blackhawks struggles shorthanded last season attest to this. It took months to adjust to life without Michael Frolik and Dave Bolland.
Additionally, in the microscope of daily hockey, a favorable matchup can be as simple as a backup goalie getting the nod. Chad Johnson, Andres Lindback and Evgeni Nabokov have all been lit up when called upon this season.
Ultimately though, the league's best players are at their best with the man advantage. In favorable matchups make them a priority. They're consistently among the league leaders in points and power-play points for a reason.
The Flow
Here is a quick primer of the top teams to use and fade and potential low-budget players who are seeing power-play time.
Units to Utilize
Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Washington, San Jose, St. Louis, Detroit and Philadelphia.
Units to Target
Philadelphia, Calgary, New Jersey, New York Islanders, Buffalo, Washington and Nashville.
PP Budget Plays
RW Brett Connolly, Tampa Bay - 1:47 PP minutes per game: The 2010 first-round selection is skating on the No. 1 power-play unit and carries a thrifty price. He hasn't frequented the score sheet often, but did pot a power-play goal Thursday.
LW Marcus Johansson, Washington - 2:43 PP minutes per game: Johansson has teased the fake community with a breakout season for three consecutive years. This will be his true breakout campaign, though. Daily sites haven't matched his price to his production, either.
C Nazem Kadri, Toronto - 2:28 PP minutes per game: Now playing opposite Phil Kessel in the Leafs' umbrella formation on the No. 1 power-play unit, Kadri's stock gets a significant boost. He is a streaky scorer and is currently riding a four-game point streak.
LW Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary - 2:26 PP minutes per game: He is scoring at even strength and with the man advantage, yet his price remains modest on daily sites. Gaudreau is always worth a look in a favorable matchup.
C David Legwand, Ottawa - 3:08 PP minutes per game: Six of Legwand's nine points this season have come with the man advantage. He is skating with the No. 1 unit and provides plenty of cap relief given his limited even-strength production.
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