Analyst calls out NHL over massive 90% drop in power play chances in 2024-25 season - "Call the damn rulebook"

The NHL has experienced a notable decline in power-play opportunities per game, which has indirectly influenced trends in power-play goals.

This reduction in opportunities naturally limits the total number of power-play goals, as fewer chances mean fewer potential goals, even with effective units.

Analyst Jason Gregor criticized the NHL on X for a 90% drop in power-play opportunities, stating:

“A massive drop. Call the damn rulebook."

In 2023, the NHL recorded 8,058 power-play opportunities, which decreased to 7,917 in 2024 and further dropped to 7,101 in 2025, marking the lowest power-play opportunities per game in league history at 5.41.

The NHL’s offensive renaissance has emphasized even-strength scoring, potentially reducing reliance on power plays. Teams are adapting with more aggressive penalty kills and better goaltending, which may discourage referees from calling penalties or limit power-play effectiveness.

The New Jersey Devils scored the most power-play goals last season with 30 power-play goals, seven more than the next closest team, the Ottawa Senators, who had 23.

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NHL analyst highlights biggest concern with Edmonton Oilers

Analyst Jason Gregor has shared his perspective on why the Edmonton Oilers face pressure to win. His assessment followed the team’s back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals losses to the Florida Panthers.

Speaking on 'The Sheet' last week, Gregor said (9:55 onwards):

"I'm actually going to go off the board here. I think the Oilers' organization right now is a very serious group. You can't win the cup in October, you can't win it in December. You can lose it by having a terrible run. They're such a serious group, and I think there's so much internal pressure to win now, because they've lost twice."

The analyst suggested that the team should find a way to ease the pressure and embrace the process.

"I would say the biggest issue for them is being able to exhale a little bit, and enjoy the process, rather than always, every decision you make, thinking that it's all about June."

The Edmonton Oilers will begin their 2025-26 season with a “Battle of Alberta” game against the Calgary Flames at Rogers Place on October 8.

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Edited by Abhishek Dilta