The Boston Bruins have flipped the script on one of their biggest weaknesses from last season - and it’s not by accident. Through 51 games, their power play has gone from a glaring liability to a legitimate weapon, and the turnaround has been nothing short of dramatic.
Let’s rewind for a second. At this point last season, the Bruins’ power play was near rock bottom.
They had connected on just 9 of 77 opportunities, a conversion rate of 11.7% that ranked among the league’s worst. Even after an in-season coaching change in November 2024, things only improved marginally.
Boston finished the year with a 15.2% success rate - 29th in the NHL - and gave up 13 shorthanded goals, tied for the most in the league. It was their lowest power play ranking since the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season.
Clearly, something had to give.
This past offseason, the Bruins made a clear investment in fixing the issue. They brought in two new voices behind the bench: Marco Sturm and Steve Spott. And while both arrived with strong resumes, it’s Spott’s impact on the power play that’s turning heads.
Spott joined the Bruins with over a decade of NHL assistant coaching experience, including successful stints in San Jose, Vegas, and Dallas - all known for sharp special teams play. During his three years in Dallas, the Stars’ power play clicked at a 23.7% rate. That’s not just good - that’s top-tier.
When Spott arrived in Boston, he made it clear that the goal was to push the Bruins back into the NHL’s top 10 in power play efficiency. So far, mission accomplished - and then some.
Through 51 games, Boston’s power play ranks fifth in the league, converting at a 26.4% clip (39-for-148). That’s a massive leap from last year’s 15.2%.
The improvement isn’t just in the numbers - it’s in the way this unit operates. The Bruins are generating chances with purpose.
At five-on-four, they’ve produced 208 scoring chances and 61 high-danger shots, with 15 of those finding the back of the net, according to NaturalStatTrick.
The players have bought in - and it shows. David Pastrnak has been lethal, as expected, with nine goals and 24 points on the man advantage.
Charlie McAvoy, who Spott highlighted as a key piece when he took the job, has added a goal and 13 assists. But it’s not just the stars.
Boston’s power play depth has emerged, too. Morgan Geekie (8 goals, 8 assists), Elias Lindholm (6-11-17), and Pavel Zacha (5-9-14) have all chipped in, rounding out a top-five that’s contributing consistently.
Spott’s approach isn’t just about tactics - it’s about mindset. He’s emphasized individual skill development and keeping players mentally locked in.
As he put it recently, “Power plays are very fragile. There are times when five guys jump over the boards knowing they’re going to score, and other times when they’re just hoping to survive.
It becomes a mental test.”
That’s where Spott’s consistency and attention to detail have made a difference. As Marco Sturm - who’s also had a strong influence behind the bench - said before the Bruins’ recent game in Dallas, “He’s been excellent.
The guys understand the way he wants to run things, and we’re having pretty good success. Most importantly, he stays on them.
He’s not going to let them loose, and I think that’s been the key.”
The results speak for themselves. Since the calendar flipped to 2026, the Bruins have scored on 33.3% of their power play opportunities (9-for-27). In tight games - like the recent wins over Vegas and Vancouver - those special teams goals have been the difference between two points and none.
And here’s the kicker: at the 51-game mark last season, the Bruins’ power play was second-to-last in the league at 13.4%. This year, they’re in the top five. That’s not just improvement - that’s a transformation.
As the Bruins sit in a wild-card spot heading into the weekend, their power play has become a real asset - not a liability. If they can keep this up, it won’t just be a nice midseason storyline. It could be the difference-maker come playoff time.