The Detroit Crimson Wings could also be again within the thick of the NHL’s playoff race within the Japanese Convention, however they’re on the verge of some doubtful historical past – until the New York Islanders can win the race to the underside.
The Isles and Wings are presently Nos. 1 and a couple of on the record of worst penalty-kill proportion all through a single season. New York is killing simply two out of each three penalties it takes (67.7 %), and Detroit is just barely higher at 68.1 %.
Additionally, this season’s Calgary Flames should not far off, since they’re tenth on the record of the worst PKs of all time.
So that is on tempo to be a traditionally unhealthy yr for penalty killing. However there have been worse years and groups almost as unhealthy.
Here’s a take a look at the 5 worst single-season PKs in NHL historical past.
5. Colorado Rockies, 1978-79
Energy Play fee: 70.6 % (149 penalties killed on 211 makes an attempt)
Common season file: 15-53-12, 42 factors, final place within the Smythe Division.
What occurred: The Rockies, now the New Jersey Devils, began their season by permitting a pair of power-play targets in an 8-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on opening evening, which began a season’s price of horrible PKing.
A 3-14-4 begin, through which Colorado’s PK gave up 16 power-play targets, value incumbent head coach Pat Kelly his job. However substitute Aldo Guidolin didn’t fare a lot better for the reason that Rockies went simply 12-39-8 and allowed 46 power-play targets – and 34 over their remaining 40 video games.
By some means, Colorado completed with the second-worst PK within the league that yr – extra on the worst unit beneath – and had been tied with the Capitals for the third-worst crew save proportion that season (.866). Colorado completed with the fewest factors within the league and didn’t retain Guidolin at season’s finish, changing him with Don Cherry – sure, THAT Don Cherry.
4. Vancouver Canucks, 1984-85
Energy Play fee: 70.5 % (213 penalties killed on 302 makes an attempt)
Common season file: 25-46-9, 59 factors, fifth place in Smythe Division
What occurred: The Canucks gave up by far probably the most targets within the NHL that season – and the fifth-most in a single season in NHL historical past – so it stands to motive their PK was additionally traditionally dreadful.
Vancouver allowed 5 targets per recreation and gave up 89 power-play targets – or a couple of per recreation – over the 80-game season. By some means the Canucks nonetheless completed tied for probably the most PPGs towards, with the Crimson Wings that season, partly as a result of their first 20 video games the place they allowed 31 PPGs, which value Invoice LaForge his job.
Despite the fact that it employed Harry Neale to repair the crew, the PK didn’t enhance, since Vancouver surrendered 58 PPGs in his 60 video games on the helm, together with six in its 12-1 loss to the Kings on Nov. 29. The Canucks in the end missed the playoffs by 23 factors within the Smythe Division.
3. Washington Capitals, 1978-79
Energy Play fee: 69.7 % (191 penalties killed on 274 makes an attempt)
Common season file: 24-41-15, 63 factors, fourth place in Norris Division
What occurred: Just like the Rockies of that yr, the Capitals began their traditionally terrible PK stretch early by giving up a PPG on opening evening. However Washington’s dreadful PK bought progressively worse all through the season, because it gave up 66 power-play targets over its remaining 57 video games, which was greater than 11 groups surrendered over the total 80 video games.
Washington completed tied for 14th within the NHL in factors that season – although it additionally was tied with Vancouver, which certified for the postseason that yr. However regardless that the Caps didn’t end final within the Norris, they missed the Wales Convention playoffs by 17 factors.
2. Los Angeles Kings, 1982-83
Energy Play fee: 68.6 % (201 penalties killed on 293 makes an attempt)
Common season file: 27-41-12, 66 factors, final place in Smythe Division
What occurred: The Kings began out OK with a 13-10-5 opening, 28-game stretch regardless of their 27 power-play targets allowed.
However LA cratered rapidly, successful simply 14 of its remaining 52 video games whereas surrendering 65 power-play targets – greater than eight groups gave up over the total season. The Kings surrendered at the very least two power-play targets in a recreation 20 instances over that 52-game span, and their .851 crew save proportion was tied for twentieth within the 21-team league.
The Kings solely missed the postseason by eight factors – no small quantity earlier than three-point video games and loser factors – regardless of posting the fourth-fewest factors in an 80-plus-game season in franchise historical past.
1. Los Angeles Kings, 1979-80
Energy Play fee: 68.2 % (199 targets on 292 makes an attempt)
Common season file: 30-36-14, 74 factors, second place in Norris Division
What occurred: Groups with traditionally dreadful PKs ending close to the underside of the standings is about what you’d anticipate, however the 79-80 Kings had the worst full-season penalty kill within the sport’s historical past but was the one membership on the record to make the playoffs.
It wasn’t that the Kings had been good although. They completed twelfth within the NHL in factors and had been only one higher than the Pittsburgh Penguins and Hartford Whalers within the first season of the 21-team NHL. They gave up 25 power-play targets of their first 16 video games but nonetheless someway received greater than they misplaced in that span (7-6-3).
Even whereas preventing for a playoff spot, LA’s PK was hardly OK. The Kings surrendered at the very least one PPG in 15 of their remaining 19 regular-season video games. Then particular groups was additionally their undoing of their four-game collection loss to the Islanders, for the reason that Kings gave up three PPGs in 15 makes an attempt and allowed two short-handed targets within the first-round collection.
