MANALAPAN, Fla. — Power play opportunities have plummeted year-over-year and teams are on track for the fewest man-advantage chances since the NHL began tracking data in 1963-64, but the league attributes that to player conformance to rules standards rather than missed calls by referees.
The numbers are staggering: Through the same number of games played compared to one year ago, there have been 747 fewer power play opportunities league-wide, representing a drop of nearly 12 percent. Games are on pace for the lowest number of power play opportunities (5.5) in the history of the league, leaving some teams with as many as 50 fewer power plays at this point compared to last season.
“We’re seeing our ‘missed rate’…