The Columbus Blue Jackets power play, which has been a bad dream for several seasons, is off to a hot start through two games in 2021-22.
It's a small sample size, obviously, but the organization leads the NHL in power-play conversion percentage in the early goings, scoring twice in three attempts. To be fair, there was nowhere to go but up, but it's still an encouraging sign to see improvements from last year.
So what has changed? Philosophically speaking, it's too early to say. But there is one clear difference: personnel. A year ago, the club's leaders in ice time while on the power play were Cam Atkinson and Seth Jones, per NaturalStatTrick. Nick Foligno was also in the top five in ice time, meaning the team is effectively replacing 60% of their top power-play unit.
This year, Oliver Bjorkstrand has replaced Atkinson, Zach Werenski has replaced Jones as the quarterback, and Boone Jenner has replaced Foligno as the down-low option. Patrik Laine becomes the only mainstay from last year, and Jakub Voracek has fit in seamlessly on the right wall. This dramatic shift in personnel has resulted in immediate chemistry this pre-season, but we all know enough to not get overexcited about games that don't count towards the standings.
One of the reasons the power play has worked so far is that the players haven't been stagnant. In the past, the team's 1-3-1 power play became so predictable and stale that it was easy to predict the 'next play'. Neither of the club's power-play goals so far this season have come off of the standard set. Instead, both goals came when the penalty kill unit was working to reset.
Werenski has been the catalyst, gathering a primary assist on Bjorkstrand's tally and scoring on the other goal. Jenner has provided a net-front presence on both goals, and the threat of a Voracek pass or a Laine shot has afforded Werenski with the extra space needed to make the play.
It's clearly too early to say that the power play has been 'fixed'. But an infusion of new blood, with players who are well-suited for the role they are asked to play, has given the club a spark in the first couple of games.
