Hoffman, Granlund on Differences Between Playing Power Play Point Instead of Flank (+)

You know what they say about the best-laid plans?

Just one game into the season, the San Jose Sharks have been forced to change up their power play.

Going into the year, the Sharks wanted to try out a five-forward PP1.

Mikael Granlund, stepping into what’s typically a defenseman’s role, was the point man. Left-handers Anthony Duclair and Mike Hoffman occupied the left and right flanks, respectively. Alexander Barabanov took the bumper and Tomas Hertl played net front.

But then, Granlund re-aggravated a training camp lower-body injury during Thursday’s season-opener. He was put on IR, and will miss at least a week, potentially more.

Preview/Lines #2: Granlund Out Week-to-Week, Peterson Recalled

Good thing, Hoffman has played the point on a five-forward power play before.

And in Granlund’s absence, he’s going to get that chance again. Hoffman will man the point tonight against the Colorado Avalanche with William Eklund on the left flank, Duclair on the right side, Barabanov bumper, and Hertl net front.

Last season, Hoffman, then with the Montreal Canadiens quarterbacked a five-forward power play, along with Cole Caulfield, Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach, and either Sean Monahan or Evgenii Dadonov.

So what’s different about playing the power play point for a forward? Both Hoffman and Granlund weighed in on that question during camp.