Tampa Bay Lightning Special Teams Are Like Night And Day
As the Eastern Conference Final progresses, the Tampa Bay Lightning penalty kill continues to shine while their power play continues to fall short
It’s been impossible to miss the Tampa Bay Lightning‘s penalty kill so far this post season. Boasting an impressive 86.4% (the highest of all remaining teams) the Lightning’s penalty kill has been a key factor for their advancement to the Eastern Conference Final and their 3-2 series lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
A lot of minors, particularly in the first two series, forced the penalty kill into the spotlight and they hit the ground running. Of course, you never want to be on the penalty kill, but the way the Bolts PK has been playing so far gives the team some confidence.
This was illustrated by the spark the penalty kill gave the Lightning in Sunday night’s game in Pittsburgh. At 11:02 into the second period, Nikita Kucherov was assessed a minor penalty for holding against the Penguin’s Bryan Rust. Just 2:13 later, the Lightning would light the lamp for the first time.
The Tampa Bay Lightning would do it again 1:10 later. The successful penalty kill gave the Bolts the spark they needed and provided a scoring opportunity that the Lightning didn’t waste.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the spectrum, the Lightning have the current worst power play percentage of the remaining teams with a meager 16.7%. Every other team still playing has at least 25%. This data has been painfully illustrated so far thought the playoffs as it seems the Bolts are on defense most of their power play.
So, what has changed? On the Penalty kill, not much overall. The Lightning have been great on the penalty kill all season. Puck awareness has played a huge part in their success. This awareness comes in the form of good judgment based on the scene around the penalty killers and then a decision on what to do with the puck.
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For example, after a frantic attack or high-speed chances for the offense, a blocked puck from a defender or the goalie will usually result in a dump to the other end of the ice to break momentum, kill time, and allow for a line change. Likewise, an intercepted pass or fumble of the puck with time and space will usually result in the Bolts setting up an offensive opportunity to kill penalty time and get some shots on goal themselves.
The Lightning’s power play woes come from a combination of injuries, lack of urgency, and tough opponents. Injuries have affected the Bolts play all season. Each injury creates a gap in what that specific player brings to the table that must somehow be filled.
For instance, in the absence of Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, the power play lost a dangerous shooter who can make big plays.
When Ryan Callahan was ill, a grinding player who wasn’t afraid to scrum for a loose puck was lost. And then with J.T. Brown, a playmaker who could feed and set up great bids for goal well. Each injury creates a gap that must be worked around and adapted to.
That isn’t to say that all of their troubles come from injuries, though. A large hand in their meager percentage comes from a lack of urgency and hustle. When on the power play, the Lightning appear almost tired and like the sense of urgency has left their play.
A power play opportunity should be the opposite, featuring quick passes and multiple shots on goal. Some of this must be sorted out in practice, but it also has to do with the quality of the defenders Tampa has played against so far in the postseason.
Mike Green and Niklas Kronwall highlighted the Detroit Red Wings defenders. For the New York Islanders, it was Johnny Boychuk, Travis Hamonic, and Thomas Hickey. Now for the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Lightning’s power play must square up against the likes of Kris Letang, Olli Maatta, and formerly Trevor Daley who is now out for the rest of the postseason with a shattered ankle.
All of these defenders are seasoned players who make five on five and the power play a challenge.
Now, what must change going forward? For the Lightning’s penalty kill, it’s their four-on-three play. This is an unlikely power play opportunity but it has still cost the Lightning a few goals. The odd number of defenders creates a triangle shape against the usual box shape of the four offensive players. So far, the rotation of the Lightning’s penalty killers has been slow providing an open passing lane and open shot opportunity to one of the four. If the rotation is sped up and the defenders are able to slide to the man with the puck sooner these opportunities and scoring chances will be reduced significantly.
So far, the rotation of the Lightning’s penalty killers has been slow providing an open passing lane and open shot opportunity to one of the four. If the rotation is sped up and the defenders are able to slide to the man with the puck sooner these opportunities and scoring chances will be reduced significantly.
Unfortunately, the power play is a different beast altogether. Injuries can’t be helped and worked around. When one piece goes missing, adapting and playing to other strengths is the path to success. The quality of defenders and penalty killers the Lightning face won’t change either as the playoffs progress.
If the Bolts are able to overcome the Penguins they will then be faced by Kevin Shattenkirk of the St. Louis Blues or Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks. So the only thing left is the power play’s level of intensity.
Quick movement, quick passes, and a high quantity of shots are necessary to generate the results the Tampa Bay Lightning want. With one more man on the ice than their opponents, someone will always be open for a pass. There is only so much a man down unit can do against quick puck movement and quick rotations.
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Eventually, they will become out of position providing the opportunity for open shots. A high amount of shots is also important to a successful power play. Obviously, if you don’t shoot the puck you can’t score and as illustrated by the now famous “butt goal” during the overtime of game 5, you never know what will happen until you get pucks towards the net.