Guide to ice hockey power play: Does it affect your bets?

Power play is prominently associated with ice hockey as a concept and part of the culture. This is the prime time to score a point and a heavily impactful opportunity for sports betting. Learn more about it here at Gamdom and see the best way to act on it when it happens. 

Key takeaways

• A power play occurs when one team has a numerical advantage because the opposing team loses a player for a few minutes due to a penalty.
• Ice hockey has varying degrees of penalty depending on the offence. This affects the duration of the power play.
• Power play dynamically changes the flow of the game. It is a prime time for the attacking team to attack while the defending team is under pressure. 

What is a power play in ice hockey?

Ice hockey is widely known for its action-packed matches where players tend to be more rough than most sports. So much so that getting into a brawl is expected once every five games. Regardless of how mild or intense it becomes, it always ends with a player put in a penalty timeout.

When a player is timed out, then the opposing team has a number advantage. In this instance, the team with the advantage is put in a state called a power play in ice hockey. The opposite of power play is called penalty kill in hockey, referring to the team who are defending against that numerical advantage.

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Different kinds of penalties that lead to power play 

Penalties put players in the penalty box and this is what triggers power play in ice hockey. It comes in different types which dictate the duration of the punishment. Here’s a brief explanation for each one and how long they last:

• Minor penalty – Offenses that result in minor penalties are often quick and sometimes accidental or made on impulse. Instances include most unnecessary actions like charging, boarding, kneeing, and shoving. It’s usually only 2 minutes long but may end instantly if the power play team scores.
• Double minor penalty – This is called if a minor penalty results in an injury. The aggressor is placed in the penalty box for 4 minutes but if the power play team scores, it is reduced to two minutes. If the power play team scored within the last two minutes, then the duration ends immediately.
• Five-minute major – Offenses resulting in a major penalty are often big actions like pushing off an opponent with a skate, holding/grasping the facemask, and a brawl. A minor penalty can also be considered major if it’s proven intentional. This lasts for 5 minutes and doesn’t end regardless of scoring.
• Penalty shot – The referee calls a penalty shot instead of a minor penalty when the victim is the skater with a puck with a clear breakaway path to the goal. It also happens when the defending team dislodges the net to prevent a goal. The penalty shot becomes an exclusive 1v1 event between the skater and the opposing goalie. It ends when the skater takes a shot, regardless if they scored or not.
• Game misconduct – This type of penalty applies if the player is excessively aggressive like using abusive language, disrupting the game, or challenging a ruling. When called, the skater is ejected with an immediate call for substitution. Therefore, it does not trigger power play in the game. 

What are the implications of a power play in ice hockey?

A game of ice hockey is only 2.5 to 3 hours long and a penalty can take up to 2 to 5 minutes depending on the severity of the offense. Such a brief moment can make all the difference in a short game and that’s why power play is considered an exciting opportunity for the attacking team and bettors:

Impact on the match for bettors

Ice hockey betting is similar to other sports where you put money on any possible outcomes. However, some of these choices are far-fetched under normal circumstances. 

If the favourite ends up committing a penalty, then the underdog is given the power play. This is your chance to bet on long shots but it also has a chance to shift the tides of the game against you. Consider doubling down on winning wagers or hedging your bets against your original predictions to cover losses. 

Effects on the player(s) involved

Both sides in ice hockey bring their best to the table when a penalty happens. The penalty kill side is forced to play defensively against the power play side. It means they are less likely to score or will have fewer opportunities to take control of the puck. Meanwhile, the power play side is forced to maximise this opportunity to score.

The pressure is placed on both sides of the fence but for different reasons. It’s a crucial factor to consider when you bet on ice hockey because anything can happen in just 2 minutes. 

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Different power play strategies in ice hockey

The rules of the game impose penalties as punishment to discourage unruly behaviour. In ice hockey, this is considered just one of many tactical options teams can use to their advantage. It’s become so ingrained in the ice hockey culture that the following power play strategies were created:

Overload power play hockey

The team on a penalty kill has too few people to match the opponents’ numbers into individual skirmishes. It is the perfect opportunity for the overload power play which focuses on overwhelming them. This is when the attacking team puts all their skilled skaters to the front and has them cycle the puck continuously to make an opening and then strike. 

Umbrella power play hockey

The umbrella power play is a more controlled version of the overload powerplay. Instead of causing havoc among the defenders, it involves placing 3 skaters positioned near the blue line and 2 forwards near the goal. These players slap shots of the puck along the half-boards until one hits the net. 

1-3-1 power play hockey

This power play formation places 5 players into formation in a diamond shape with 4 corners and 1 in the middle of both the X and Y axes. This creates 8 triangles where players can seamlessly pass to each other. 

The lone defender has three passing lines and the other 4 players can shoot from their respective angles. It applies strong point-scoring openings but it is vulnerable to a strong breakout. However, the 1-3-1 remains popular in modern ice hockey because that rarely happens except against exceptional forwards from the penalty killers. 

Spread power play hockey

The spread power play is also known as 2-1-2 formation where two forwards are near the opposing goal while 3 skaters are spread in the backline. It is the more popular power play strategy in a 5v3 situation because of the pressure it puts on the penalty killers. The spread powerplay utilises a vacated blue line, giving the defenders opportunities to make a play. 

Gamdom tips to bet with ice hockey power play

Power play ice hockey betting revolves around making the most of these brief moments. Here are some of the tips you should know:

Know players’ and coaches’ tendencies

The best way to capitalise on the power play is not to wait for it but to anticipate it. As stated, penalties are treated as tactical options in ice hockey and many players or coaches tend to resort to it. Before you bet on ice hockey games, get to know the teams playing. See if any of them are known for causing penalties and consider that in your future bets. 

Use power plays to bet on long-shots

Even with just one or two people missing, it changes the dynamic of the game. With one or two fewer people on the team, the remaining skaters are forced to defend multiple angles instead of equally delegating spaces. It’s chaos for the penalty killers but a window of opportunity for the power players. 

If it favours the underdogs, then that’s your chance to bet on them during in-play betting. The points they make during power play will contribute to their chances of winning by the end of the match. 

See players’ histories in reaction to power plays

Power plays aren’t always the decisive factors in an ice hockey match. Sometimes, players end up with a successful penalty killing thanks to strong forwards or skilful defenders. Take a glance over players’ records and see who has high statistics for a successful breakout. They can be great vehicles for long-shot bets, too if there’s a propositional bet for it. 

Bet on power plays at Gamdom ice hockey betting

Gamdom covers the top ice hockey leagues around the world. That includes the National Hockey League (NHL), the IIHF World Championship, and domestic tournaments.

All of them feature familiar markets like match winner, outright winner, and score totals. Check them out to bet on fun markets with high odds of winning big crypto payouts. 

See Gamdom promotions for fun sports betting rewards. There’s always something new to claim whether it’s a giveaway, risk-free bets, or rakebacks. 

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