Defenceman Scoring On The Power Play Only

While I claim Bryan McCabe has been the best defenceman this season. It is in spite of the fact that he has inflated offensive totals in part due to increased power play time. McCabe leads the NHL with 22 power play points. He has 35 total points this year. This leaves him 10 points at even strength and three more short handed points.

McCabe is hardly the worst example of a defender with a significant point total that is almost completely power play points. many defenders are doing it. Many of whom had scored well at even strength in previous seasons. Both Nicklas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings and Paul Mara of the Phoenix Coyotes have 20 points this year, but they have only four at even strength and 16 on the power play. McCabe's usual linemate Tomas Kaberle is another player who feasts on the power play and rarely scores otherwise. He has 21 points with 16 on the power play.

Although the best examples of the phenomenon are defencemen, there are forwards in the group. For example, Shane Doan of the Phoenix Coyotes has 19 points, 14 of which were scored on the power play.

I worry about teams and players who are dependant upon power plays. When the stretch run comes and the playoffs follow and games get more and more important, I think penalties will drop as referees will put away their whistle and let the teams settle games on the ice. These teams and players will have less power play opportunities and their success will drop.