Capitals statistical guru Neil Greenberg broke down Alex Ovechkin’s slumping power play numbers in a great piece about Ovie’s power play shots over the past three seasons.
Greenberg points out that Ovechkin converted 25 percent of his power play goals last year, but has just three this year. He attributes that to Ovechkin taking on a greater leadership role on power plays and moving away from his “sweet spot.”
Which brings us to this season. Either by choice or by the way the opposition defends him, there’s nearly no action close in to the net. Instead, fans are treated to shots from the point, which are easy to defend and have a low probability of hitting the twine.
That sweet spot happens to be up close and to the right of the goaltender as detailed in charts by Greenberg on the Washington Post.
