Blues moving up, PP a concern?

[Army's Mom]

Not sure this deserves its own thread, but I found the Athletic's recent power rankings interesting and thought I'd share.

Last week: 22
Mark L. rank: 16
Dom L. rank: 12

6.5

No, this isn’t about all the $6.5 million deals that St. Louis has on the books, it’s their power play xG rate per 60 since the 4 Nations break. It’s the third-worst mark in the league and well south of the scintillating 11.5 goals per 60 mark they’re actually getting. Usually, that’s a regression indicator.

With how great the Blues are playing right now, perhaps that’s much ado about nothing. But for a team on the playoff bubble, any red flag is worth pointing out. The Blues have been a terrifying team under Jim Montgomery and would be a terrifying draw as a wildcard team. With how they’ve played, it’s a lot easier coming up with scary numbers for their competition. But there’s still work to do and the team’s power play could be a house of cards.

First, Dom (their resident analytics nerd) always seems to underrate the Blues - so to see him rank them 12th best in the League is interesting in and of itself.

Second, their powerplay - the quote suggests that they're faring better than they deserve to, and are due for regression. I'll admit, I haven't been watching the PP's as closely, so I'm curious how y'all see it?

[DawgDad]

Not sure this deserves its own thread, but I found the Athletic's recent power rankings interesting and thought I'd share.

Last week: 22
Mark L. rank: 16
Dom L. rank: 12

6.5

No, this isn’t about all the $6.5 million deals that St. Louis has on the books, it’s their power play xG rate per 60 since the 4 Nations break. It’s the third-worst mark in the league and well south of the scintillating 11.5 goals per 60 mark they’re actually getting. Usually, that’s a regression indicator.

With how great the Blues are playing right now, perhaps that’s much ado about nothing. But for a team on the playoff bubble, any red flag is worth pointing out. The Blues have been a terrifying team under Jim Montgomery and would be a terrifying draw as a wildcard team. With how they’ve played, it’s a lot easier coming up with scary numbers for their competition. But there’s still work to do and the team’s power play could be a house of cards.

First, Dom (their resident analytics nerd) always seems to underrate the Blues - so to see him rank them 12th best in the League is interesting in and of itself.

Second, their powerplay - the quote suggests that they're faring better than they deserve to, and are due for regression. I'll admit, I haven't been watching the PP's as closely, so I'm curious how y'all see it?

Like the rest of the team play it's improved, at least to the point of being a threat.

[Frank Underwood]

Well, the powerplay could benefit from a Snuggerud injection soon! Honestly, no idea if or how they will use him if they are fighting for a playoff spot, but his one-timer could add an important dimension to the powerplay.

[moose-and-squirrel]

Well, the powerplay could benefit from a Snuggerud injection soon! Honestly, no idea if or how they will use him if they are fighting for a playoff spot, but his one-timer could add an important dimension to the powerplay.

holloway and bolduc on the right side, snuggerud on the left

me likey

[Blues Dave]

Colton Parayko shall return. It will be all around.

[Army's Mom]

Well, the powerplay could benefit from a Snuggerud injection soon! Honestly, no idea if or how they will use him if they are fighting for a playoff spot, but his one-timer could add an important dimension to the powerplay.

Yeah, I kinda agree that they may not want to put him in such a high pressure role in the midst of a playoff chase, but having a right handed one timer sure would complement their look.

I dunno if this is tracked anywhere (team one-timers per 60 at 5v5 or 5v4), but it sure seems like they're going for one timers more often lately than in years past.

I remember whole discussions here about lacking personnel who could one-time pucks (specifically Tarasenko, who preferred to dust off his wrister).

[brianstlou2]

The power play hasn’t been great for a couple years. I get that it’s the players, but maybe time for Steve Ott to move off that responsibility. I remember the last few years under Chief, they would bring in other coaches like Brad Richards and I believe Mark Savard. I think they need a new voice.