Colorado Avalanche power play is peaking at the best time

The Colorado Avalanche continue to sit atop the standings, creating a bigger gap between them and the rival Dallas Stars. However, it's not been quite the same formula prior to the Olympic break. The Avalanche have finally addressed their biggest flaw: the power play. It has been frustrating to watch a team be so dominant at 5-on-5 but struggle with the man advantage. Let's dive into what's changed.

Looking at the stats

The Avs currently lead the league in power play goals for the month of March with 15. Their conversion rate is 31.3%, putting them third in the league over that time. The team also just barely edges out the Dallas Stars for most power play goals since the Olympic break with 16. Through that time, they're fourth in conversion rate at 27.6%.

Compare this with the rest of this season, when the Avalanche were consistently at the bottom of the power play ranks. They finished dead last in power play conversion rate at 15.1% prior to the Olympic break. The Avs scored a paltry 27 goals in 55 games. If Colorado can keep up their current hot streak, they could surpass that 55-game total.

Looking at what changed on the Avalanche power play

So what's changed? Well, the addition of Nazem Kadri has obviously been one factor. Since he was added at the March 6th trade deadline, he leads the Avalanche with three power play goals. Kadri had two in last night's 9-2 drubbing of the Calgary Flames. He has allowed the top unit to do different things with the personnel. He allows the top unit to be more flexible on ice, which has translated to more open ice and stronger opportunities.

That flexibility allowed the coaching staff to make a major change to the strategy - putting Nathan MacKinnon down low and moving Martin Necas to the near faceoff circle. MacKinnon's passing from the side of the net has been superb. He's had much more success getting the puck to the Brock Nelson at the bumper and even Kadri on the far side. It's opened up more passing options for the power play.

They've relied pretty heavily on getting the puck low to MacKinnon for the spin and flip shot in their early game opportunities. This opens up the rest of the team as the defense starts to key in on him. From there, MacKinnon has the space and vision to collect the rebound and push it towards Kadri and Nelson, who are crashing the net, or back to Necas to reset the play. It's worked wonders as all five of the skaters on the top unit have at least five points.

Continuing the trend

The Avalanche need to continue to convert on the power play. They should continue to explore the new options that putting MacKinnon down low creates for them. With his passing ability and the finishing ability of the other four skaters on the top unit, the Avs should be able to create space and chaos in front of the net to create more high danger chances.

I still think the Avalanche could get more out of their second unit, especially if they leave MacKinnon out for the entire power play. With Valeri Nichushkin, Gabriel Landeskog, and Artturi Lehkonen, MacKinnon has very similar options as he does on the first unit.

The man advantage has been a major talking point for this Avalanche team since they were ousted by the Dallas Stars in the first round of last year's playoffs. If the Avalanche are looking to get deep into the playoffs, or at least past the first round, they can't afford to convert on less than 20% of their power play chances.