One of the best power plays in the NHL the past few seasons has been coming up empty like a bullet-riddled bucket.
In their last eight games, the Vancouver Canucks are 0-for-20 with the man advantage -- a stretch that not so coincidentally has seen them win just twice.
Times have become so desperate that coach Alain Vigneault announced today he may see what much-maligned defenseman Cam Barker can do tonight in Columbus.
There’s been no shortage of analysis on what’s wrong with a power play that’s fallen to 24th (15.0%) out of 30 teams. Ryan Kesler’s absence with a broken foot hasn’t helped. Nor has the lack of a booming right-hand shot from the point after Sami Salo signed with Tampa Bay in the summer. Alex Edler’s struggles have been well-documented. Daniel Sedin isn’t taking enough shots and/or getting enough chances to take shots. And Vigneault has been hesitant to deploy new addition Jason Garrison, who scored nine power-play goals last season in Florida.
Meanwhile, the streaking Blue Jackets have surrendered just one power-play goal in their last 10 games.
Related: Slumping Canucks recall Ebbett, send Schroeder back to AHL