Can somebody explain the strategy of standing around and playing catch during the power play once you gain the zone?

I only started following hockey a few years ago, but it sure seems like getting some momentum and circling beats the pants off of the stand around and pass for predictable shots.

What am I missing? Just watched the Knights piss away a 4:3 PP in OT

Hockey attacks, especially on the powerplay, circle the puck until you pull the defense out of balance and open a hole to shoot.  In hockey especially, where goalies stop 90%+ of all shots on goal, you HAVE to tweak the shot odds in your favor with a clear shot on a goalie who is off balance in the crease or where he is being screened to block his view of the shot.  Lacrosse is almost exactly the same.