All articles tagged with #penalty kill
No. 1 Michigan defeated Penn State 5-2 in the Big Ten semifinal at Yost, anchored by a perfect 6-for-6 penalty kill and 27 saves from freshman goalie Jack Ivankovic. Nick Moldenhauer set up two goals as Michigan pulled ahead in the third and will face Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship.
The Vegas Golden Knights acquired center Nic Dowd from the Washington Capitals, sending goaltender Jesper Vikman and a pair of draft picks (2029 second-round, 2027 third-round) to Washington. Dowd, a reliable defensive center with strong penalty-killing ability and a track record of double-digit goals, is under contract for another season at $3 million, adding depth at center and PK stability as Vegas aims for another playoff run. Washington receives Vikman and draft capital, potentially shaping future moves as they evaluate the roster this season.
The Pittsburgh Penguins' development camp showcased promising prospects like first-round pick Ben Kindel and spirited defenseman Brent Johnson, while new assistant coach Mike Stothers brought a fresh, aggressive philosophy to the team's penalty kill, emphasizing pressure and work ethic to improve performance.
Joe Sacco has been named the interim head coach of the Boston Bruins following the firing of Jim Montgomery. Sacco, who has been with the Bruins since 2014, previously served as an assistant and associate coach. A Massachusetts native and former NHL player, Sacco is known for his expertise in penalty killing, having helped the Bruins maintain a top-10 penalty kill in seven of his ten seasons. He previously coached the Colorado Avalanche and has filled in as head coach for the Bruins during absences. Sacco aims to improve the team's current 8-9-3 record.
The Florida Panthers are focusing on discipline and limiting the Edmonton Oilers' power-play opportunities as they prepare for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. The Oilers boast a highly effective power play, led by top players like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The Panthers, who have successfully handled strong power plays in previous rounds, aim to maintain their strong penalty kill and exploit the Oilers' weaknesses through extensive video analysis. Both teams have strong special teams, making discipline and strategic play crucial.
The New York Islanders bounced back from a three-game losing streak with a 5-4 overtime win against the Pittsburgh Penguins, with Adam Pelech scoring the game-winner. The victory was crucial for the Islanders, who had been struggling and needed to turn their season around. The team's penalty kill was instrumental in the win, going three-for-three and providing a much-needed boost. The Islanders are now looking to build on this win and put together a winning streak to improve their playoff chances.
The Los Angeles Kings are set to face the Dallas Stars in an NHL regular-season game, with forward Blake Lizotte doubtful to play due to a lower-body injury. The Kings are likely to have at least one lineup change, with forward Samuel Fagemo recalled from AHL-Ontario. The Kings have been strong on the penalty kill, allowing just two goals in their last five games, and will face a tough test against the Stars, who have a strong penalty kill as well. The game marks the conclusion of a six-game road trip for the Kings, who have historically performed well in back-to-back sets.
The Minnesota Wild dominated the Nashville Predators with a 6-1 victory, ending Nashville's six-game winning streak. Connor Dewar had a standout performance, scoring a hat trick and contributing to the penalty kill's perfect record since John Hynes took over as coach. Kirill Kaprizov showcased his engagement and skill, scoring a power-play goal and making impressive plays. Filip Gustavsson delivered another strong performance in goal, solidifying his position as the Wild's starting goaltender. This win marks the first time the Wild have won consecutive games in regulation this season.
The Minnesota Wild suffered their seventh consecutive loss, falling 4-1 to the Detroit Red Wings. Joel Eriksson Ek scored his team-leading 10th goal of the season, but the Wild's struggling penalty kill and a frustrated Matt Boldy were key factors in the defeat. The Wild have lost 13 of their last 16 games and have allowed a league-high 23 power-play goals this season. Boldy, who is going through a slump, received multiple penalties and expressed his frustration during the game.
The Philadelphia Flyers will face off against the New York Islanders in a Metropolitan Division matchup. The Flyers have been successful when scoring first, boasting a 10-1-0 record in such games, while the Islanders have struggled to protect leads. Both teams have struggled on the power play, with the Flyers ranking 28th in power play efficiency and the Islanders ranking 31st in penalty kill percentage. The Flyers' penalty kill has been strong, holding opponents to 11-for-60 on the power play. The Islanders have recently ended a seven-game winless streak and will be playing their 1,000th career NHL regular season game.
The Minnesota Wild and Ottawa Senators played a cautious game, resulting in a 2-1 shootout win for the Senators. Filip Gustavsson had a solid performance for the Wild, while Marco Rossi scored the lone goal for Minnesota. The Wild's penalty kill showed improvement, going 4 for 4 in the game. The Wild have lost four in a row and 10 of their past 13 games.
The Minnesota Wild's penalty kill continues to be a major issue as they gave up a franchise-record five power-play goals in an 8-3 loss to the Dallas Stars. The Wild have now trailed in a league-high 479 minutes, 48 seconds this season. Additionally, Kirill Kaprizov had a subpar performance, and the team needs more from him and Matt Boldy. The Stars' Miro Heiskanen, Jason Robertson, and Wyatt Johnston were the standout players in the game.
The New York Rangers showcased a dominant special teams performance in their season-opening victory against the Buffalo Sabres. They successfully fended off three power plays and scored two special teams goals, including a power-play goal by Chris Kreider and a shorthanded goal. Kreider's eight shorthanded goals since 2021-22 are the most in the NHL, while his 35 power-play goals over the same span are tied for the second most. The Rangers' penalty kill suffocated the Sabres, limiting them to just three shots on goal with the man-advantage. The team's defensive effort was highlighted by numerous blocked shots, with a total of 23 blocks throughout the game.
The Carolina Hurricanes head to New Jersey with a 2-0 series lead after dominant wins on home ice. Carolina's penalty kill is now 5/5 in the series and 22/23 in the postseason, leading all teams with a success rate of 95.7%. Jordan Staal's line has shut down New Jersey star Jack Hughes, holding him pointless and -4 through the first two contests of the series. Teuvo Teravainen skated for a second consecutive day on Saturday but is still not close to returning from a broken hand. Frederik Andersen is expected to start in net for Carolina despite concerns about his workload.
The Colorado Avalanche had an optional skate for the scratches and held media availability for a few players and Jared Bednar. There is no update on Valeri Nichushkin's absence, and there is no timeline for his return. The Avalanche's penalty kill has been exceptional, limiting Seattle and even scoring a shorthanded goal of their own. J.T. Compher credits the team's detail in the penalty kill for their success. Bednar praised defenseman Josh Manson's improvement and explained the defensive setup for the playoffs.