Lexie Laing contributes more to the Pride’s power play than goals

There’s little doubt as to the effectiveness of the Boston Pride’s power play. The first-place team is third in the league in power play goals with nine goals scored in the first nine games of the season (both Minnesota and Buffalo have more with 10 power play goals each.) However, despite having powerhouse players like McKenna Bend and Jillian Dempsey leading the team, when it comes to the power play, the Pride look to a rookie to take charge.

Rookie forward Lexie Laing centers the third even strength line with the Pride, sharing the ice with fellow first years Carlee Toews and Tori Sullivan. But where she’s shone the most is her role on the second power play unit as a faceoff specialist.

Laing leads the team with a 63.78 faceoff percentage. That dominance on the dot builds a foundation for a lethal power play. In four of the Pride’s nine power play goals this season, Laing has started with success at the faceoff dot.

In addition to making critical wins in one-on-one battles, Laing has earned four points with the power play, accounting for a third of her total points on the season.

Despite having such a successful power play, the Pride aren’t the league leader in power play percentage. With a 24 percent success rate, both the Buffalo Beauts (26%) and Minnesota Whitecaps (31%) have better conversion rates. However, through disciplined play, the Pride has drawn more penalties than any other league, and has been awarded a league leading 38 power plays as a result.

With Laing at the helm of their special teams, the Pride are certain to keep benefiting as the season continues.