2014-15 Ducks Penalty Kill Preview

2014 Stats

The Anaheim Ducks PK was 82.2% (home: 84.4%, away: 80%), good for 13th in the NHL. Andrew Cogliano led the team with three shorthanded goals, while Daniel Winnik and Jakob Silfverberg each posted two. Cam Fowler had a single shortie last season as well.

Projected First Unit:

I fully expect potential linemates Cogliano and Ryan Kesler to front the first PK unit, with Francois Beauchemin and Bryan Allen to be present in many instances. Alternatively, Hampus Lindholm and Fowler both did acceptable PK work last season.

Last Person I want on the Ice during PK:

I want to see Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry killing fewer penalties than they have over the span of their career. In theory, they will come out during the last 10 seconds of a successful kill, but otherwise I want them resting their legs for two minutes each time. Their ensuing even strength offense is more important.

Changes from Last Year:

The addition of Kesler along with the subtraction of Winnik and Saku Koivu changes the forward makeup of the PK unit tremendously. For whatever even strength failings Koivu had last season, he was a workhorse on the PK, and the team put up respectful percentages in that area. Nate Thompson figures to pivot the unit quite a bit, but it will be interesting to see who else Bruce Boudreau works into the rotation.