The power-play has been power-less.
The Blue Jackets power-play has not made up for their shortcomings while shorthanded. The Jackets have scored just 5 times in 30 chances, for a measly 16.7% with the extra man. That's good enough for 22nd in the league.
But, it's not good enough for a team that has no problem scoring at 5 on 5. They have 30 goals at even strength, which ties them for third most in the NHL. Why isn't that scoring translating to the power-play?
It's tougher to find specific examples to point out, since the team doesn't make a habit of putting out highlights of failed extra man advantage opportunities. But, it's pretty easy to pick apart: this team isn't very good at creating in-zone offense, in part because they over-pass.
In contrast to what we saw with the Islanders on the play referenced above, the Jackets have an almost comical refusal to try to play the puck through the middle of the ice on their own power-play chances. Whether it's a shot or a pass, they do not challenge the opposition's penalty kill.
Too often, they are content to pass the puck around the perimeter - often along the boards if they are pressured. This makes it too easy for the other team to intercept passes and clear the zone.
Worse, zone entries have become an Achilles heel for the Blue Jackets in their own right. They've become too reliant on the dump and chase, which makes it even easier for a team to defend on the penalty kill since they can just hang back and shoot the puck back down the ice.
Let me be clear on this: you should never be dumping the puck into the corner on the power-play. There is simply no reason for it.
This ultimately comes down to confidence and effort. An effective power-play is usually working when guys are confident in their ability to make plays. And, when they do make a mistake, the effort to retrieve the puck has to be there.
After all, you have an extra man on the ice. There's no reason the opposing team should ever have an easy time clearing the puck out of their zone while shorthanded.
With players like Sean Monahan, Charlie Coyle, Boone Jenner and Dmitri Voronkov featured on these power-play units, I can't fathom this team ever having an issue retrieving pucks in the corner. But I digress. Here we are every night, watching our goaltender fish a puck out from behind the net to help the team break out quicker on the power-play.
Like the PK, this seems like a simple adjustment. Instead of carrying on with the same old, I'd like to see Dean Evason roll out someone who is hungry, ready to work, and willing to shoot the puck. Throw Miles Wood or Yegor Chinakhov out on the man advantage. Put some pressure on the skill guys who aren't producing to find a way to produce.
This is the approach they have taken in goal, and it's paid off in dividends thus far. At this point, what can it hurt? The very worst thing that can happen is wasting an opportunity. They are doing that already, basically every time they get a power-play.
Whatever it takes, at this point, this team needs to figure out both sides of their special teams. Because as good as they are at even strength, these units are costing them points in the standings. Those points will be precious come March and April.