So why does he always set up in that spot?
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Oilers power play primary assists location 2013
In 2011-12, when Ryan Nugent-Hopkins burst on to the NHL season, much of his scoring success came on the power play, where he averaged 7.3 points per 60 minutes of play in 5-on-4 situations.
This year on 5-on-4 situations, Nugent-Hopkins is averaging just 0.83 points per 60 minutes.
In one season, RNH has gone from the power play penthouse to the power play outhouse.
On the power play, RNH almost always sets up on the right half-wall. He did so last year and he’s doing it again this year.
Last season he had a lot of success setting up other shooters from that spot, often passing to Shawn Horcoff in front of the net, Taylor Hall down by the right post, or going cross-seam to Jordan Eberle. In total, RNH unleashed 15 passes that that led directly to power play goals in 2011-12. Eleven of those passes came from his office in the right face-off circle. Almost all of those assists from the right face-off circle came in the first half of the season.
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Ryan Nugent Hopkins primary power play assist locations 2011-12
This season, as much as he has set up on that spot, he’s only twice set up an Oilers shooter from there for a power play goal.
At the same time, and this is the most crucial point of all, the next time RNH scores from the right face-off circle on the power play will be the first time. His shot simply is not strong and accurate enough from that spot for him to be a threat from there.
At the same time, if you look at this year’s chart, it’s clear that Nail Yakupov can score from that spot. We also know from Taylor Hall’s power play production in Oklahoma City this year that he can score from that right face-off circle spot.
It’s unsurprising that the power play with Sam Gagner, Ales Hemsky and Yakupov is working better than any other Oilers formation, as they are all on their off-wings, and they all have dangerous shots from the off-wing, Yakupov in particular, but Gagner as well, and Hemsky to a lesser extent.
You will note from the “location of power play goals” chart that the vast majority of power play goals come from shooters on their off-wings. When they take a pass, they are simply at a better angle and position to rip and fast, hard shot at the goalie.
Most NHL coaches know this inside out, though some power plays, even in 5-on-3 situations, inexplicably still don’t have most or all of the shooters — and all the most deadly shooters — setting up their off-wings. Against Dallas last week, the Oilers squandered a few 5-on-3 chances by not having their deadliest shooters, Hall and Yakupov, out on their off-wings, in prime shooting location.
In pointing all this out, I don’t want to imply that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins shouldn’t be on the power play. His high point total last year was the result of outstanding, world-class passing skill. It’s evident, though, that at this point having him set up on the right half-wall is counterproductive.
Or am I missing something here?
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Nugent-Hopkins is cold on the power play. Here is why and what might be done about it.
Image may be NSFW.
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Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
