The Blues had a mildly successful four-game homestand, going 2-1-1. Throughout the games, there was one lingering issue that has been a problem for a while.
When the Blues are graced with a man-advantage opportunity, they cannot figure out a way to get on the board. Injuries have played a part in it, but overall, it seems like the scheme and game plan for the power play are just not working
Let's talk about it.
4/32 over the last 12 games
Over the last 12 games, including the 0/3 effort against the Rangers, the Blues have scored four times on their last 32 opportunities. That is 12.5% and certainly a dark mark on this team.
They are missing Jimmy Snuggerud, Jordan Kyrou, and Dylan Holloway, who are three big parts of the power-play units. That trio has been replaced by Oskar Sundqvist and newly acquired Jonatan Berggren. Additionally, the second unit now has three forwards and two defenseman on it, aside from its usual four forwards and one defenseman.
If you look at the top teams in either conference, you can almost mirror their success with their power-play percentage. It is a big part of the game, and the Blues are not succeeding in it.
Any way to fix it right now?
At the moment, it can only be fixed with players stepping up to the occasion. Kyrou, Holloway, and Snuggerud are still a long way away from being back in the lineup, so this is the best that they can put out there. Now, it is on head coach Jim Montgomery to strategize plays with the man-advantage, and let the players that are out there now, stay out there.
You are not gonna find many other pieces to switch in and out from what they have. Mathieu Joseph is really the only other player that comes to mind that should get some power-play time, but it won't change much. It is on Robert Thomas, Pavel Buchnevich, Pius Suter, and ultimately, Brayden Schenn to figure this out until the injured players get back on the ice.
But, for now, these awful numbers on the power-play cannot be ignored for much longer. This lack of production is right up there with the lackluster goaltending this season as the two biggest hindrances.