While Staal’s impact is at the forefront of the power play’s about-face, there have, of course, been other factors that have helped.
“Good puck movement and getting the puck to the net. It’s very direct,” Shayne Gostisbehere highlighted. “It’s not looking for the pretty play, but sometimes the pretty play is there. Being direct, getting the puck (to the net), and getting to the dirty areas (are key). A lot of goals are scored in the blue paint, with a good net-front presence. Those big guys in front, Staalsy, Svechy, have set good screens led directly to goals.”
Some of it simply boils down to good health as well.
Gostisbehere has been bothered by a nagging lower-body injury for most of the season, yet has made a major impact when he’s in the lineup. His five power play goals are tied for fifth among all NHL defensemen this season, even with 17 missed games.
“We’re putting it all together, and we’re getting good results. Before, people think we struggled, but we were getting chances every night,” the point-producing blueliner said. “We’re getting some bounces too, and that really helps. Those go over into the total picture. I think, for us, it’s just bearing down, paying attention to the details, taking what they give us, and keep going.”
With all of that considered, though, the easy point-to-turnaround moment for the club was the unconventional inclusion of Staal.
“I’ve sensed that the power play has turned around, whether it’s myself or not. Eventually, with the talent that we have in this room, it was going to click at some point,” the captain gracefully deferred the credit. “Magically, I got my foot in the door when it did. Getting in the offensive zone is the biggest thing, and that’s what I’m trying to help with. I want to win the faceoff right off the bat and create some offense right off the bat. I think we’ve capitalized on a few and we’ve gotten a lot of opportunities. The more pressure you have on teams, the harder it feels. Everything little thing counts [on the power play], and I’m just trying to be a little piece of it.”