Ok everyone, I have a hockey question about powerplays.
My background is that I didn’t play hockey growing up (except street), and while I’ve been a fan of the game since I was 7 I never quite got the same level of understanding as I would have had I played (was never “coached”).
My question is the following: why in the NHL do powerplays seem to flow so much through the right half-wall (Kucherov, Backstrom, etc.), in order to set up the one-timer on the left, but (seemingly) fewer flow the other way around? Even the Canes seem to operate this way, using TT as their guy on the right half-wall. While the guy operating the half-wall can certainly score on the one-timer if he’s a lefty (and Kucherov does), it seems it’s usually on a “return” pass more than actually being the focal point for a one-timer (like a Stamkos, Ovechkin, Laine, for the Canes a Faulk two seasons ago). TT scored his fair share this past year, but they weren’t set one-timers but more that type of flowing return pass I’m referencing (certainly if he were the intended triggerman we wouldn’t be having the “he needs to shoot more” discussion). When I picture the guy on the left scoring, it’s a set one-time blast from the circle. When I picture the guy on the right, it’s usually more in the flow of play - maybe he takes the space the defense gives him for a wrister, or maybe a one-timer from closer in after the defense breaks down. Kucherov’s the only one I can picture taking one timers like Laine or Ovy, but even then it’s clear that he’s the straw that stirs the drink and Stammer is there to be the triggerman (i.e. Kucherov’s one-timer is dangerous, but “secondary” to what they’re trying to set up).
Is it simply because the top NHL triggermen today seem to be righties? Or is there something about the way the game flows that makes the right half-wall preferred? (Blocker vs. glove side?) Or, am I simply mistaken, and there actually are plenty of PPs that flow through the left half-wall and I’m just not familiar and/or can’t picture it?
