I agree, Matt. Another overlooked factor, though, is the inconsistency with which we station a man in front of Kipper. I hate to praise Scum, but there’s a good reason Detroit’s PP is borderline overpowering: net presence. Ya, they move the puck better than most teams, but that means very little if the goalie is seeing everything. We’ll often put someone there to start, but he always drops behind the net when the puck moves to the half-boards. I just don’t understand this.

should surely be on the point. He is good at carrying the puck, has a cannon of a shot, and is not hesitant to shoot (cough**Campbell**cough). However, I also feel 51 is too valuable/skilled to keep taking ice time from him/punishing him. He can either give the puck away, or make passes like the one that set up Seabrook’s breakaway against that team in Michigan. That’s just his deal this year, inconsistency. Let’s move on.

Also a big problem that I’ve noticed, has been keeping the Flames pinned in their zone. The PP point men need to be in position to keep the puck from crossing the blue line. This is how you tire out the defense, and get them to overcommit, which usually leads to someone being in good position to score.

Sam and I have both repeatedly called for Andrew Ladd to get some power play time. He’s proven more than capable of winning battles at even strength, so him along the boards with numbers would seemingly increase his likelihood of coming out with the puck. Additionally, he’s a big enough body to get in front, and has exhibited quicker and softer hands than he often gets to use in close. The only things that Byfuglien has over Ladd is about 30 lbs big right handed shot. But if he can’t catch a pass, or isn’t willing to get to the goal mouth on a consistent enough basis, which he has not shown (despite his inspired play at even strength of late). I’d honestly prefer Brouwer over Buff on the powerplay as well, because he at least knows exactly where he is supposed to be, and that’s giving the goalie an up close view of his backside.

Ideally, here are the two power play units I’d like to see

Sharp – Toews – Havlat
Campbell – Barker

Ladd/Brouwer – Versteeg – Kane
Keith – Seabrook

As Ven mentioned above, I would have ZERO problem letting Campbell float, if that didn’t put Barker on an island back there for shorthanded chances against. He doesn’t have the foot speed to even make it interesting against a streaking forward that’s picked up an errant/deflected pass.