Pavelski's Newest Innovation

The advent of the Ovechkin one-timer (OV1T) shaped the modern power play philosophy.

What is this philosophy? Get a high-danger shot on goal, and go from there.

This philosophy spawned the "bumper position," which Point has benefitted from the most over the last couple years.

While the bumper was originally designed to relieve pressure, it has taken off as a viable SOG position.

The Drais & McDavid Union added a new stance to the bumper in 2019. (The weird positioning of this play is the reason it was kept under wraps for so long.)

In 2022 Draisaitl and McD have switched positions, and funny enough, this Parent Trap swap has put the play back in business.

As the bumper continues to evolve in the 1-3-1 look, so does the net-front presence. Gone are the days of Avery turning his back to the play. The net-front man of course needs to provide passing and opportune screens, but they also need to pop out as a goal line option. Usually this is for a passing play, but innovators like Rantanen have found ways to make this a sustainable, high-danger shot.

Now, let's get to Pavelski. This ageless wonder's newest tactic is the weirdest of all.

It isn't a screen or a popout, it's a post up. With a forehand receival, he's able to get a static puck, in a roofable backhand position, 5 feet from cage. It’s an easy way to get a high-danger SOG and can also breakdown the box (probably better than Rantanen's play). Below is an example of what can happen when the first shot doesn't go in, too.

I think we will continue to see innovations for guaranteed, high-danger shots on goal on the PP. For now I'll leave you with ROR's most recent goal, a pure copy of Pavelski.

Keep those sticks down,
Alex