What is a Power Play in Hockey: 5 Types of Penalties

When a team has a power play in hockey, it can be a game-changer – so let’s dive into what it is and how it can impact a game.

In ice hockey, a power play occurs when one team has a numerical advantage over the other due to a penalty taken by the opposing team. During a power play, the team with the advantage has more players on the ice, making it easier for them to score a goal. Power plays are a crucial part of the game, and teams often develop specific strategies to take advantage of them. The success of a power play can often determine the outcome of a game, makings it an essential element of the sport.

What is a Power Play in Hockey?

A power play occurs when a player on the opposing team commits a penalty that results in them being sent to the penalty box.

So, what causes a power play in hockey? The most common types of penalties include:

Type of Penalty	Duration	How it Ends	Goals Scored	Shots Attempted	Penalty Kill %
Minor Penalty	2 minutes	Goal scored	Yes	Yes	~80%
Double minor penalty	4 minutes	Goal scored	Yes	Yes	~70%
Major Penalty	5 minutes	Penalty time expires	No	No	~60%
Game Misconduct	Ejection	Player leaves game	N/A	N/A	N/A
Penalty Shot	N/A	Goal scored or missed	Yes	Yes	~30%

Note: Penalty kill % refers to the percentage of times the team on the penalty kill successfully prevents the opposing team from scoring during the penalty.

The table above shows the different types of penalties in hockey, their duration, how they end, and statistics related to power play success.

So, how long is a power play in hockey? Minor penalties last for two minutes, while double minor penalties last for four minutes. Major penalties last for five minutes, while game misconduct penalties result in the player being ejected from the game. Penalty shots are not time-based and are awarded to a player who is prevented from taking a clear shot on goal.

During a minor penalty, the opposing team has a high chance of scoring, with a penalty kill success rate of around 80%. Double minor penalties are slightly harder to score on, with a penalty kill success rate of around 70%. Major penalties are the hardest to score on, with a penalty kill success rate of around 60%. Penalty shots have a lower success rate, with the team on the penalty kill successfully preventing a goal around 70% of the time.

When a player receives a penalty and is serving time in the penalty box, it creates a power play opportunity for the opposing team. The PIM article helps fans understand the consequences and impact of penalties in hockey, as teams on the power play have a higher chance of scoring due to the numerical advantage.

Power Play Strategies

Power play strategies are essential for any team looking to capitalize on their numerical advantage on the ice. Teams use a variety of tactics to create scoring opportunities, such as the umbrella, overload, and 1-3-1. In this article, we will explore these common power play strategies and the differences between 5-on-4 and 5-on-3 in NHL power play.

Strategy	Description
Umbrella	A common power play strategy involves positioning players in a high umbrella shape, with one player at the top of the zone and two players on the wings to create passing options.
Overload	An overload strategy involves positioning players on one side of the ice, creating a numerical advantage, and creating space for players to move the puck and take shots.
1-3-1	A strategy where one player positions themselves in front of the net, while three players operate along the blue line, and one player works in the middle to create scoring opportunities.

In a 5-on-4 power play, teams have one more player than their opponents, while in a 5-on-3 power play, they have two more players. As a result, strategies for each are different. In a 5-on-4 power play, teams often use a variety of passing and shooting strategies to create scoring opportunities, while in a 5-on-3 power play, they focus on quickly moving the puck and taking shots to overwhelm the goaltender.

Here’s a table comparing 5-on-4 and 5-on-3 power plays:

Strategy	5-on-4 Power Play	5-on-3 Power Play
Passing	Often used to create scoring opportunities	Less emphasis and quick puck movement is key
Shooting	Used to create scoring opportunities	The key focus, overwhelming the goaltender with shots
Positioning	May use umbrella or overload strategies	With less emphasis, players often move around quickly to create open lanes
Objective	Create and maintain pressure to score	Score as quickly as possible

Power play strategies are essential for teams looking to make the most of their numerical advantage on the ice. Understanding the differences between 5-on-4 and 5-on-3 power plays and the strategies used for each can help teams be more effective on the power play and create more scoring opportunities.

Penalty Killing

In ice hockey, penalty killing is a defensive strategy used by the team that is shorthanded during a power play. It involves specific tactics and techniques designed to prevent the opposing team from scoring while playing with the man advantage. In this article, we will explore some of the common tactics used during penalty killing in hockey.

Here are some of the tactics used by teams when they are shorthanded:

1. Clearing the puck: When a team is shorthanded, their main objective is to clear the puck out of their zone and into the offensive zone of the opposing team. This reduces the time that the opposing team has to set up plays and score goals.
2. Pressuring the puck carrier: When a team is shorthanded, they often employ an aggressive forecheck to pressure the player with the puck and force them to make mistakes.
3. Blocking shots: Penalty-killing teams will often sacrifice their bodies to block shots and prevent the opposing team from scoring.
4. Playing a box formation: Teams will often use a box formation in their defensive zone to limit the amount of space the opposing team has to work with and reduce their scoring chances.
5. Forcing turnovers: Penalty-killing teams will often look to force turnovers and capitalize on any mistakes made by the opposing team.

Penalty killing is an important aspect of ice hockey that requires specific strategies and tactics. The main goal of penalty killing is to prevent the opposing team from scoring while playing with the man advantage. By using tactics such as clearing the puck, pressuring the puck carrier, blocking shots, playing a box formation, and forcing turnovers, teams can effectively defend against power plays and increase their chances of winning.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Power Plays

In ice hockey, a power play can be a game-changer for the team with the man advantage. However, it also comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages that need to be considered.

Advantages of a Power Play:

1. More scoring opportunities: The team with the man advantage has an extra player on the ice, which means they have more opportunities to score a goal.
2. Increased puck possession: With one fewer player on the ice, the team with the man advantage has a better chance of maintaining possession of the puck.
3. More open ice: The team with the man advantage has more room to maneuver on the ice, as there is one less player from the opposing team to contend with.

Disadvantages of a Power Play:

1. Complacency: Sometimes, the team with the man advantage can become complacent and not take advantage of the opportunity to score.
2. Overconfidence: The team with the man advantage may become overconfident and take unnecessary risks, which can result in turnovers and potential short-handed goals for the opposing team.
3. Momentum shift: If the team with the man advantage fails to score, it can result in a momentum shift in favor of the opposing team.

Potential Risks of Taking Penalties:

1. Short-handed goals: When a team takes a penalty, they are short-handed, which means they have one fewer player on the ice. This can create opportunities for the opposing team to score short-handed goals.
2. Momentum shift: Taking penalties can result in a momentum shift in favor of the opposing team, even if they don’t score a goal.
3. Fatigue: Penalty killing can be physically demanding, and can tire out players, particularly if the team takes multiple penalties.

Taking penalties can have a negative impact on a team’s chances of winning. As such, it’s essential for teams to weigh the pros and cons of their actions on the ice, and make smart decisions that minimize the risks and maximize their chances of success.

Historical Context

In the early days of hockey, there were no power plays, and penalties were enforced through player ejection or suspension. However, as the sport grew in popularity, so too did the need for a more standardized system of penalizing players for infractions. The first power plays were introduced in the 1910s, with the penalized player leaving the ice and giving the other team a 6v5 advantage.

Time Period	Type of Power Play	Main Changes or Features
The early 1900s	None	No power play
1910s – 1920s	Minor Penalty	The concept of a minor penalty was introduced
1920s – 1930s	Power Play	Power plays were introduced for minor penalties
1940s – 1950s	Double Minor Penalty	Double minor penalties were introduced
1950s – 1970s	Major Penalty	Major penalties were introduced
1970s – 1980s	Game Misconduct	Game misconduct penalties were introduced
1980s – Present	Penalty Shot	Penalty shots were introduced as a result of certain types of penalties

The power play format continued to evolve throughout the 1930s and 1950s, with changes such as a 5v4 advantage and the ability for teams to score multiple goals on a power play. By the 1980s, teams began developing specific strategies for their power-play and penalty-killing units, and today’s top teams use a variety of hybrid power-play strategies to create scoring opportunities.

Conclusion

Ice hockey power plays are a crucial element of the game that can determine the outcome of a match. A power play occurs when one team has a numerical advantage due to a penalty taken by the opposing team. Power plays are a critical component of ice hockey, and understanding the different types of penalties and strategies associated with them can help teams maximize their chances of success. We also made fitness calculators for you, which may be useful to you.

FAQ

Does a Power Play End when a Goal is Scored?

During a power play, a goal is only scored if the team with the man advantage or the team on the penalty kill scores a goal. This applies to minor penalties, double minor penalties, and penalty shots. However, major penalties and game misconduct penalties end after their specified duration, regardless of whether a goal is scored or not.