It's not far-fetched to say that Pittsburgh's power play has cost them a playoff spot in the last two seasons.
But for the first time in almost three years, things might finally be looking up.
![Penguins to unveil new-look power play in 2024 NHL regular season | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]()
After seven preseason games, the Penguins' power play - overseen by new assistant coach David Quinn - went six for 21 and operated at a 28.6 percent clip, which, albeit a small sample size, is a drastic improvement over the meager 15.3 percent it ended the 2023-24 season with.
So how have they done it so far? Well, there are both slight structural changes and personnel changes, and they've paid off up to this point.
"I wouldn't say that the scheme is a lot different, but the points of emphasis and the attack points are a lot different," head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed.
The first change is a slight change in structure. They are still using a high umbrella format when they're trying to establish possession in the zone, which is the same scheme they used last season:
However, once the Penguins have established possession and solid puck movement, it appears they try to shift to an overload with a low bumper, which resulted directly in a Drew O'Connor power play goal against Detroit.
On the first unit, Bryan Rust had been occupying this position until his injury. It has since been occupied by either Rickard Rakell or Michael Bunting, with Rakell getting most reps in practice.
As far as personnel, the Penguins will roll with two defensemen - Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson - on the top unit, with Karlsson on the half-wall and Letang at the point.
"I would anticipate us using two defensemen on [the first unit]," Sullivan said. "We'll see where that goes, but I would anticipate that. We obviously have options to go to one "D" and four forwards, but 'Quinny' and I have talked at length in the offseason about what direction we'd like to go with it, and we think we're going to start with both Karl and Tanger. We think that we can put them in positions to be successful. They're obviously very talented guys."
The eye test so far - which Sullivan also confirmed - says that speed and puck movement are big emphases under the new-look power play. No one player holds the puck very long, and there are short, crisp, clean passes, as evidenced in the Rakell power play goal against Columbus on Friday:
Sullivan also gave a glowing endorsement of Quinn, who he describes as a very "personable" coach.
"He's not trying to come in and make his presence known, he's just himself," Sullivan said. 'He's a smart hockey guy, first and foremost. He has a lot of experience coaching, he's been around the game a long time, so he has a wealth of experience to draw on. But his personality, just his people skills, I think are invaluable for us."
For Quinn's power play, the preseason is the preseason. That much is clear. But if the Penguins can put up numbers even close to their preseason totals throughout the season, it could mean the difference between a playoff berth and another early summer.
