The Anaheim Ducks entered this season with high hopes for their power play, especially with two distinct units combining young stars and experienced talent. However, the Ducks power play struggles has the team falling short of expectations, despite the addition of a new power play coach, Rich Clune, who is working to instill a fresh approach.
Power Play Units and Statistical Breakdown
The Ducks’ current power play units are as follows:
- Power Play Unit One: Troy Terry, Leo Carlsson, Frank Vatrano, Mason McTavish, Olen Zellweger
- Power Play Unit Two: Alex Killorn, Ryan Strome, Cutter Gauthier, Trevor Zegras, Cam Fowler
With a mix of veterans like Strome and Killorn and young stars such as Zegras, McTavish, and Carlsson, the Ducks should have a formidable power play. However, they currently rank among the league’s lowest in power play conversion rates. The Ducks are currently at 12.5%, which puts them 29th out of 32 teams, a far cry from the production expected with these lines. Below is a breakdown of the Ducks power play struggles compared to the league average, which offers insight into the specific areas where Anaheim lags.
Ducks vs. League Average Power Play Performance
| Metric | Ducks | League Average |
| Conversion Rate (%) | 12.5% | 20.55% |
| Power Play Opportunities | 48 | 46 |
| Power Play Goals | 6 | 9 |
Zone Entries and Execution Issues
At the present time the Ducks’ most noticeable issue has been with controlled zone entries. Coach Rich Clune was brought on to revamp the power play. He has emphasized creating seamless entries with clean puck possession, something the Ducks have struggled to maintain. For example, McTavish and Terry often initiate zone entries, but their success rate has been inconsistent, leading to frequent dump-and-chase scenarios. Furthermore, without the time and space to establish themselves in the zone, Anaheim’s power play threats have been largely neutralized.
Coach Clune Power Play Strategy
Coach Clune’s approach aims to diversify Anaheim’s attack and add flexibility. He has encouraged players to be more dynamic in their movements, particularly when setting up in the offensive zone. His philosophy prioritizes movement without the puck, designed to confuse penalty killers and open up prime shooting lanes.
However, the system requires sharp, synchronized puck movement, an area the Ducks have yet to master. Both units have shown glimpses of success with quick cross-ice passes and puck rotations, but consistency has been lacking. Clune’s influence may take time, as young players like Zellweger and Carlsson adjust to the pace of NHL-level power plays.
Net-Front Presence and Shot Selection
Clune has also stressed the need for a more effective net-front presence. In particular, he’s looked to veterans like Killorn and Strome to anchor the second unit by creating screens and collecting rebounds. Anaheim’s shot selection remains problematic, as they still take too many attempts from the perimeter. Instead, they need to be creating high-danger chances close to the net.
Zegras: The Missing Spark on Power Play One
A surprising move in Anaheim’s power play strategy this season has been the placement of Trevor Zegras on the second unit. Known for his strong playmaking and creativity, Zegras recorded nine goals and eight assists in 2021-22, followed by four goals and 13 assists in 2022-23 on the man advantage. However, the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons were challenging for Zegras as he dealt with injuries. Now fully healthy, he has once again proven himself to be a reliable offensive generator. Besides, his ability to control the puck, draw defencemen, and open up passing lanes makes him an invaluable asset in man-advantage situations.
Meanwhile, Power Play Unit One has continued to struggle to produce high-danger chances. They often lack a player who can bring consistent creativity against defensive formations. Adding Zegras to the top unit could inject the energy and unpredictability Anaheim needs to elevate their shot quality and conversion rate. This in turn could potentially transform a struggling power play into a reliable scoring threat.
Moving Forward: The Road to Power-Play Improvement
Rich Clune’s new strategies are still a work in progress. The Ducks’ reliance on young stars like Carlsson and McTavish suggests there may be a learning curve before the full potential of these systems is realized. Integrating Clune’s concepts will require time, patience, and potentially even more adjustments to positioning and personnel.
While Ducks fans may be frustrated with the current results. Clune’s presence and his philosophy of a flexible, movement-based power play offer hope for growth within the Ducks power play struggles. The journey to a successful power play isn’t an easy one, especially for a young roster. If Anaheim’s players can adapt and find rhythm in Clune’s system, the Ducks’ power play may soon transform into a formidable force.
Main Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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