Yandle Credits Teammates After Breaking Power-Play Points Record

SUNRISE, Fla. -If Keith Yandle had it his way, the puck would have been split into six pieces.
Following a 4-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday night at BB&T Center, the veteran defenseman posed for a photo in the Florida Panthers dressing room, holding in his left hand a ceremonial puck to commemorate his franchise-record 38th power-play point of the season.

But, of course, he wasn't alone.
Happily huddled around Yandle were all the major players from the team's top power-play unit this season: Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau, Mike Hoffman, Evgenii Dadonov and even Vincent Trocheck, who spent time with the unit before missing 27 games with an injury.
"You know the way that those guys can shoot the puck and score goals, I think I have the easiest job out there," said Yandle, humbling dishing out praise to teammates like his signature tape-to-tape passes. "It's just about distributing it to those guys and letting them do their magic."
With Yandle as its quarterback, Florida's power play has reached new heights this season. In addition to ranking second in the NHL, the club's 27 percent success rate with the extra attacker also stands almost seven percentage points higher than the next-best mark in franchise history.
And although Yandle's record 38 power-play points lead the team and are the third-most in the NHL this season, Hoffman (34), Huberdeau (32) and Barkov (31) are not far behind. Like a well-oiled machine, the Panthers are currently the only team in the league this season to have four different players post 30 points on the man advantage, which also stands as a franchise first.
Like the photo, Yandle is at the center of the power play, but knows it's a team effort.
"He's one of the best quarterbacks on the power play in the league," Panthers coach Bob Boughner said. "Even talking to other coaches and other players, they all realize how skilled he is and how he can run the top of the power play. Even 5-on-5 he makes great breakout passes.
"It's always clean and on the tape. That's what he does best. He's doing exactly what we want him to do and he brings it on a nightly basis. It's nice to see him get that record at home here in front of the hometown fans. It was a good moment for him."
Easily one of the biggest additions to the power play this season has been Hoffman, whose second-period goal against Arizona gave Yandle his 38th power-play point, which moved him past former Panthers captain Olli Jokinen (2005-06) for the single-season franchise record.

Of Hoffman's team-leading 17 power-play goals this season, 11 have been assisted by Yandle.
"Yeah he's a guy that can shoot the biscuit," Yandle said of Hoffman, whose 34 goals are tied with Barkov for the team-lead. "Impressive that you look around and guys know it's coming, and goalies know it's coming, and he can still find ways to score goals and big goals at that."
Thanks in large part to his production on the power play, Yandle also set another record against the Coyotes. Picking up his 58th point of the season in the win, the 32-year-old broke a tie with Robert Svehla (1995-96) for the most points by a defenseman in a season in franchise history.
Yandle's 49 assists, which currently place him fourth among NHL defensemen this season, are also tied with both Svehla and Brian Campbell for the most by a Panthers blueliner in a season.
"It's obviously special, especially when you see the guys that have played here," Yandle said. "Guys that I've looked up to: Caber [Bryan McCabe], Jovo [Ed Jovanovski] really helped me out in the beginning of my career. Brian Campbell, Robert Svehla, the guy that had the record, and it's kind of one of those things where you take pride in and, obviously, it's nice getting the win."

Leading Florida's defensive corps in scoring this season, Yandle has several more milestones within reach this season. With two more points, the Boston, Mass., native will not only achieve a new career-high total, but also become just the 14th U.S.-born defenseman to reach 60 points.
With the continued help of his teammates, it's safe to say he gets there.
"It's definitely a lot of fun to be a part of that group and going to work with them every night," Yandle said.