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Penguins forward Jason Zucker prepares for a faceoff against the Sabres at PPG Paints Arena, Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, in Uptown.
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'Those two numbers go hand-in-hand': Penguins, the least-penalized team in NHL, also boast league's best PK

Alexandra Wimley/Post-Gazette

'Those two numbers go hand-in-hand': Penguins, the least-penalized team in NHL, also boast league's best PK

WASHINGTON — The Penguins have orchestrated a dramatic turnaround on the penalty kill this season, going from the NHL’s fifth-worst to the absolute best.

Entering Friday’s matchup in Washington, D.C., the unit coordinated by assistant coach Mike Vellucci has snuffed out 91.9% of opposing chances. They have not allowed a power play goal since Nov. 14, a span of 11 games and 26 opportunities.

As we’ve detailed previously, the reasons for the turnaround include: a better understanding of the high-pressure approach, better personnel, better face-off numbers, more denials on zone entries and better goaltending.

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There’s also one more thing. Not only are the Penguins the NHL’s best at killing penalties, they’re also the best at staying out of the box. They’ve been whistled for just 161 penalty minutes this season, making them the NHL’s least-penalized team.

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“It doesn't surprise me that those two numbers go hand-in-hand,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said.

The coach explained that a number of details go into that kind of stat. Crisp line changes are key so mental or physical fatigue doesn’t lead to miscues. Stick discipline is a big factor. Positioning while defending is crucial. The list goes on.

“I do think it boils down to discipline and commitment,” Sullivan said. “We want to be a team that that plays an aggressive style. We want to play an in-your-face game, but we've got to do it on the right side of that line. We've got to make sure that we don't put ourselves in positions where we take unnecessary penalties, where we give our opponents power play opportunities, to be the difference.”

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Many would agree that discipline is a direct reflection of coaching. Consider that under Bill Belichick, who is widely believed to be the best active coach in the NFL, the Patriots have been one of the five least-penalized teams in each of the last five seasons, including in 2020 when they committed fewer infractions than any other NFL team.

That’s probably not a coincidence. And it’s probably not a coincidence for the Penguins, either. 

Zucker good to go, Boyle back in action

Jason Zucker, who skipped the last two practices due to what the team termed “maintenance” days, was back in action on Friday. He skated in his normal place on Jeff Carter’s left wing. 

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Meanwhile, Kasperi Kapanen got a big-time promotion. He finished Monday’s game in Seattle on the fourth line. But with Jake Guentzel injured, he was bumped all the way up to Sidney Crosby’s right wing. Brain Boyle centered the fourth line, skating between Drew O’Connor and Dominik Simon. It marked Boyle’s first game action since Nov. 27. Sam Lafferty was scratched. 

Load management in the NHL?

Zucker’s maintenance days got us to thinking ...

In the NBA, not only do teams give their stars practices off, but sometimes they rest them during full games. It’s become an in-vogue approach called “load management,” where teams look at the big picture and decide it’s worth the risk of losing a game if it means keeping a key player fresher down the stretch.

Could this approach eventually find its way into the NHL and this league’s 82-game grind?

“The way the league is, it would be very difficult to do that for a number of reasons, but the biggest reason I think is just the parity in the league.” Sullivan said. “There's such a fine line between winning and losing. A lot of times, it goes down to the final week in solidifying playoff spots or home ice advantage versus not. There always seems to be something to play for.”

Mike DeFabo: mdeabo@post-gazette.com and Twitter @MikeDeFabo.

First Published: December 10, 2021, 6:43 p.m.

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Penguins forward Jason Zucker prepares for a faceoff against the Sabres at PPG Paints Arena, Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, in Uptown.  (Alexandra Wimley/Post-Gazette)
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