Sure, the Columbus Blue Jackets didn't have the year they wanted.
But they certainly weren't done any favors from the whistles.
According to a tweet by Jason Gregor of TSN Radio, the Blue Jackets averaged 2.09 power plays per game during the 2020-21 season.
That was just over half (56%) of the opportunities by the Colorado Avalanche, who led the league in power play chances during the season.
Oh, and it was also the fewest chances on the man-advantage per game in the history of the NHL.
Top five teams in PP chances/game in 2006.
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) August 4, 2021
LA and PHO: 6.60
CAR: 6.48
ATL: 6.44
VAN: 6.41
30th...FLO: 5.01
Top five in PP/game in 2021
COL: 3.70
FLO: 3.39
TB: 3.21
NYR: 3.20
ARI: 3.18
31st...CBJ: 2.09 (lowest all time).
Call the rule book FFS.https://t.co/E3hU3QZW0t
The Blue Jackets had more than three power plays in just six of the 56 games during the season. Meanwhile, the opposition had 11 games of four or more power play chances, more than twice the amount of the Blue Jackets.
The Blue Jackets were 2-1-3 in the games where they had at least four power plays. They were 1-7-3 in the 11 games that the opponent did.
This isn't a full-on referendum on officiating; maybe the Blue Jackets were just extra sloppy and happened to play against well-disciplined teams.
The fewest power play chances per game in the entire history of the league, though? That seems a little odd.
It may be part of the reason that the Blue Jackets, for the first time in franchise history, did not string together three consecutive wins. That's harder to do in a 56 game season than the full 82, certainly, but to not have three in a row out of 56 tries? That's a sure sign it's been a tough season.
The Blue Jackets need a lot to go their way to be competitive in the 2021-22 season (after that, though, look out). But a little more balance with the penalties would certainly help turn the tide.
