Powerful penalty kill a big part of playoff success for Vancouver Canucks

powerful penalty kill a big part of playoff success for vancouver canucks

Powerful penalty kill a big part of playoff success for Vancouver Canucks

NASHVILLE — Killing penalties hasn’t always been a strength for the Vancouver Canucks.

The team’s penalty kill struggled through much of 2022-23 and threatened to be the worst in NHL history. After rebounding slightly late in the regular season, Vancouver still finished with a league-worst 71.6 per cent success rate.

Now the special teams unit has become a strength for the Canucks, particularly in the first-round playoff series against the Nashville Predators which the Canucks lead 2-1 heading into Sunday’s Game 4.

“It’s just such a big part of the playoffs, killing penalties,” said Canucks defenceman Carson Soucy. “You never want to put yourself down on the kill, but at the same time, it can be a big mood boost, for this team especially.

“It just brings a whole lot of confidence to the group, whether it’s a blocked shot that gets the bench up, whether it’s a big save or even just a couple good clears. “

Vancouver’s penalty kill operated at 92.3 per cent over the first three post-season games and has weathered 12 straight infractions without conceding a goal.

“I think the PK all year has been a resilient group. We’ve had some stretches where we’ve had a bad run with a bunch of 5-on-3s and it looks bad, but I think overall, it’s been pretty good,” said Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet.

Vancouver killed five penalties Friday en route to a 2-1 win over the host Predators and a lead in the series.

Playoff veteran Ryan O’Reilly scored Nashville’s only power-play goal so far in Game 1 on the Predators’ first man-advantage in the series.

Solid clears and blocked shots have helped Vancouver get through penalties successfully during the playoffs, Tocchet said.

Veteran defenceman Ian Cole was credited with five blocked shots Friday, including one that pinged off his helmet as he sprawled across the crease.

That was nothing new to Tocchet, who was an assistant coach when Cole and the Pittsburgh Penguins won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017.

“One in the head, one in the shoulder, one in the collarbone,” Tocchet said. “I’ve seen (Cole) do that when we won the Stanley Cup. That’s why we went and got him, for games like that. That’s a lot of courage, of blocking those shots. I mean, those are point-blankers.”

Vancouver’s penalty kill personnel have remained the same for much of the season, and that’s created a bond through the unit, Soucy said.

“It’s just consistency from the whole year,” said the blue liner. “We’re just so confident now in where we’re supposed to be because we’ve been doing it for 80-plus games now.

“Confidence and trust in each other, trust in the forwards, trust in the (defence), that they’re going to be in their spots, I think that’s just showing that we’ve put in the work all year to be consistent and stick to what we know can be successful. We’ve seen it.”

Nashville’s penalty kill that was perfect after two games of the series surrendered two goals on three penalties Friday to fall to 77.8 per cent in the playoffs.

“We did a pretty good job on the kill so far,” said Preds centre Mark Jankowski. “Last game wasn’t our best. We let a couple in there. We know what we did wrong, we know how to fix some things and we’ll be ready for next game.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 27, 2024.

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press

OTHER NEWS

21 minutes ago

Peter Dutton reveals intent to cut migration and support first-home buyers

21 minutes ago

How relevance deprivation syndrome has liberated me in my retirement

21 minutes ago

'Let Them Be Kids': New youth campaign tackles dangers of social media

21 minutes ago

Video: Candid Aussie reveals surprise job that pays $50 an hour - and only requires one week of training and no degree

23 minutes ago

Boxing-Usyk beats Fury to become undisputed heavyweight champ

23 minutes ago

Simbine registers fastest 100m of season, Lyles superb in 150m

23 minutes ago

Irish business tycoon and rugby record breaker Tony O'Reilly dies at 88

26 minutes ago

Golden girl! Cate Blanchett stuns in a puffy metallic gown as she attends Cannes Film Festival - before getting a four-minute standing ovation for new film Rumours

26 minutes ago

Sam Kerr wins fifth straight WSL title with Chelsea - as Mary Fowler endures public heartbreak

26 minutes ago

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott pledges to keep bussing migrants to NYC: ‘Mayor Adams needs something to do’

26 minutes ago

Actress Lucy Punch will reunite with Dame Joanna Lumley for Motherland spin-off

26 minutes ago

Shane Lowry ties major-championship scoring record with 62 and makes biggest move on Moving Day at 2024 PGA Championship

26 minutes ago

‘Emilia Pérez' Review: Leading Lady Karla Sofía Gascón Electrifies in Jacques Audiard's Mexican Redemption Musical

26 minutes ago

Six of the best: Manchester City’s mainstays who have gone distance

26 minutes ago

Dublin’s hopes broken by Eoin Cody’s saving grace as Kilkenny get back on track

28 minutes ago

Streep, Gerwig shine on Cannes red carpet

28 minutes ago

Tyson Fury accuses judges of helping Oleksandr Usyk win because Ukraine is ‘at war’

30 minutes ago

Police arrest suspect in 1989 cold case killing of 78-year-old Pennsylvania woman

30 minutes ago

Revered Chicago candy shop makes People magazine's summer travel bucket list

33 minutes ago

Video: Inside Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival for Oleksandr Usyk's historic victory over Tyson Fury... as the football star is welcomed by Saudi Arabia officials before taking his ringside seat

35 minutes ago

'Whether they're from Donegal or Senegal, it makes no difference': A night at the Lighthouse café

35 minutes ago

RA_17MAY24_FLV_WILLIAMS_IS_CLEAR_FAVOURITE_FOR_GOALKEEPER_OF_THE_SEASON_16-9.mp4

35 minutes ago

Hepatitis A case reported at Beverly Hills Whole Foods

35 minutes ago

Chelsea vs. AFC Bournemouth, Premier League: Preview, team news, how to watch

35 minutes ago

The Look Ahead: May 17, 2024

35 minutes ago

Should Your Engine Be Hot Or Cold When You Check Oil Levels?

36 minutes ago

HISD, Cy Fair ISD and Spring Branch ISD give updates on status of their schools

39 minutes ago

MCoBeauty founder Shelley Sullivan 'abruptly' splits from husband Anthony seven years after lavish wedding

41 minutes ago

Lok Sabha polls: Kharge accuses PM Modi of ‘provoking’ people, calls on ED to take action

41 minutes ago

World-first live remote muster by drone at Beef Australia 2024 a sign of thing to come for cattle industry

41 minutes ago

Depleted Bristol beat Harlequins in thriller as both teams miss semi-finals spots

41 minutes ago

Best beach cover ups: sarongs, kaftans and more

41 minutes ago

Does servicing outside your dealership void your warranty?

41 minutes ago

Rep. Ritchie Torres talks lithium-ion battery safety legislation

41 minutes ago

After five years, three bridges and two floods, a permanent Mersey River crossing is now open

41 minutes ago

Shane Lowry ties major championship record, shoots 9-under 62 at the PGA

41 minutes ago

Donald Trump attends youngest son's graduation

41 minutes ago

Pittsburgh Penguins' Mike Sullivan to coach U.S. Olympic men's hockey team in 2026

44 minutes ago

‘The Balconettes’ Review: A Very Bloody, Somewhat Didactic, Game – Cannes Film Festival

44 minutes ago

Will Quebec’s forest fire season be as bad as it was last year?

Kênh khám phá trải nghiệm của giới trẻ, thế giới du lịch