The Difference a Potent Power-Play Could Make for the Blue Jackets

Unfortunately, the choice to hire Recchi seems to be a very wrong decision. The team ranks 31st in the NHL this season, with a power-play converting at just 14.4%.

If they stay at that pace, they would have the worst power-play the franchise has seen since 2012-13; when they converted at a 14.2% rate. Looking back at a half-decade or-so of awful power-play units, seeing that this one is on pace to be the worst, is really not a good sign.

It's even worse when you look at the players they have at their disposal this season. I would argue that any power-play unit featuring names such as Johnny Gaudreau, Zach Werenski, (when healthy) Patrik Laine, Boone Jenner, and any number of the other talented guys on this roster; should at least be able to maintain a middle of the pack ranking.

For comparison's sake: that 2012-13 Jacket team was led in scoring by 37 year old Vaclav Prospal, who had 30 points in 48 games. Much easier to see why that team had a terrible conversion rate.

Clearly, something isn't working with this unit. And it has killed this team this season.

Looking at the overall rankings in the NHL, a 21.5% conversion rate will get you right into the middle of the pack. The Jackets have earned 188 power-play opportunities this season (second fewest in the NHL). They have scored a league-low 27 goals with the extra man.

If they were able to convert at a 21.5% rate over those same number of opportunities, they would have roughly 40 power-play goals on the season. That's 13 more goals for a team that has a record of 8-9-10 in one-goal games this season.

Let's assume they score 13 more goals spread out over those one-goal games. For argument's sake, we'll say they split the difference and win 7 more of them overall. We're looking at a team with, potentially, 14 more points in the standings, which would tie them with the New Jersey Devils at 72 on the season. Just six back of a playoff spot.

All of that with just a league average power-play. Not even taking into account the fact that this team generates a really low number of extra man opportunities.

Fixing the power-play ahead of next season, could vault this team up the standings quicker than any of us expect. It should be a huge priority for this team heading into the summer.