The Capitals had the top ranked power play in the NHL in 2009-10 with a 25.2% ratio and Montreal were second with a 21.8 % mark.
On the road, Montreal were tops at 28.3%, converting 32 of 113 chances, while ranking 24th on home ice with 25 of 148 chances converted, good for 16.9%.
Washington earned the second best home ice power play ratio, converting 25.6 % of their chances. On the road, the Capitals ranked second to the Canadiens, turning 153 chances into 38 goals.
Montreal’s 148 opportunities at home ranked 26th, and their 113 chances on the road were 29th. Washington’s 160 opportunities at home ranked 13th, and their 153 chances on the road were 9th.
In sum, the Capitals scored 22 more power play goals than the Canadiens, while drawing 52 more penalty calls, 12 more at home and 40 more on the road.
Between the two teams, Washington earned 19 power plays to Montreal’s 16 in games against one another. The Capitals converted 2 of 10 chances in Montreal and 1 of 9 at home. The Canadiens capitalized on 2 of 7 chances in Washington and 3 of 9 at home.
Goals / Shots Ratio on Power Play per Team
Montreal – 5/15 or 33% on sixteen powerplays
Washington – 3/25 or 12% on nineteen powerplays
A surface assessment of both teams made easy: Washington has ridiculous fire power, while the Canadiens might be a trifle more opportnistic. With high shot totals per game and on the power play, the Washington assault is designed to overwhelm. The Canadiens for their part, tend to not waste shots, and therefore patiently await openings and lanes.
With less penalties generally being called in the post season, it could well be that the number of opportunities even up.
