In ice hockey, what does the term "power play" mean?

The term "power play" in ice hockey refers to a situation where one team has a numerical advantage over the other due to a penalty incurred by an opponent. When a player is penalized, they must serve time in the penalty box, leaving their team shorthanded. Consequently, the opposing team gains an extra skater on the ice, which creates an opportunity for increased offensive pressure and scoring chances.

This scenario is crucial in the context of the game as it allows the team on the power play to execute strategies that can lead to goals. Coaches often devise specific plays for power plays that capitalize on the opponents' lack of players. In contrast, the other choices describe various components of the game but do not accurately define what a power play entails. For example, playing with fewer players during a penalty refers to the situation the penalized team is in, and a penalty shooter attempt is a specific type of play that occurs under distinct conditions. Scoring during the last minutes of a game is a general game scenario and not specific to power plays.