Why is the Sharks PK Elite?

[butterfly]

Here's a team that was 21st in GA last year, and 29th in GA this year. They missed the playoffs last year, and I don't think anyone will be surprised if they miss the playoffs this year either.

Yet, their penalty kill was 2nd last year and is 2nd again this year. How have they been so good at it?

They changed their entire coaching staff in the offseason, and yet their PK remains elite. Last year, Brent Burns was their top player in PK ice time, and this year, Brent Burns is gone to Carolina.

21-22 PK Ice Time/Game

Brent Burns (D) 2:42
Mario Ferraro (D) 2:37
Jaycob Megna (D) 1:55
Logan Couture (F) 1:54
Andrew Cogliano (F) 1:52
Matt Nieto (F) 1:45
Jacob Middleton (D) 1:39
Nick Bonino (F) 1:36
Tomas Hertl (F) 1:32
Marc-Edouard Vlasic (D, actually 13th on the team) 0:49

22-23 PK Ice Time/Game

Marc-Edouard Vlasic (D, now 1st on the team) 2:49
Mario Ferraro (D) 2:31
Matt Benning (D) 2:28
Matt Nieto (F) 2:14
Logan Couture (F) 2:09
Nick Bonino (F) 2:00
Luke Kunin (F) 1:50
Jaycob Megna (D) 1:49
Nico Sturm (F) 1:30
Radim Simek (D) 1:13

Are Ferraro/Couture/Nieto that good at this? I don't even know if they play together. What are they doing that other teams can't figure out? Is it luck? I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary when they played the Flames.

They're the 23rd (last year) and 27th (this year) most penalized team, but that hasn't seemed to have helped other teams that rarely take penalties to this degree. Las Vegas is one of the least penalized teams, and their PK success is nowhere near San Jose's.

A curiosity as to how a team this nondescript can be so good at a coveted skill.

[SebC]

I dunno, but I will remind you of the old adage "your best penalty killer is your goaltender".

[Johnny Makarov]

Yay! You have the correct stats for the Sharks PK at 2nd in the league! lol

Course watching the few Sharks game this year they are terrible 5 on 5.

[memphusk]

Mike Grier could kill penalties. Maybe he demands it?

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

Yay! You have the correct stats for the Sharks PK at 2nd in the league! lol

Course watching the few Sharks game this year they are terrible 5 on 5.

This adds nothing to the conversation.
A poster made an observation about a poor team with excellent PK, despite almost a total overhaul, and wondered if anyone saw anything as to why.

Rather than be a d!ck, either stay out, or add something to the conversation.

[Paulie Walnuts]

I can't even remember the PK when we played the Sharks because apparently no one takes penalties but the Flames.

Seems like they have fast aggressive players who pressure the puck a lot. If you have consistent pairs that probably plays a big role in it being the same as the year prior. Communication is huge knowing what your partner is doing and covering up for them.

[The Cobra]

May simply be small sample size randomness.

[GranteedEV]

This year they have are pretty middle of the pack in PK shot suppression, but have a top 3 save percentage. In particular they have the best SV% in the high danger areas so they probably take care of rebound situations well.

last year they were second in SV and a little better in shot suppression, but still closer to the median. Their HD SV% led the league last year as well.

Basically, they seem to really prioritize protecting the the front of the net, and letting their goalie make saves.

I imagine a team like Tampa can probably pick them apart with weapons like Stamkos/Kucherov/Point who can snipe one timers from range, but that's just a guess.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by IamNotKenKing

This adds nothing to the conversation.
A poster made an observation about a poor team with excellent PK, despite almost a total overhaul, and wondered if anyone saw anything as to why.

Rather than be a d!ck, either stay out, or add something to the conversation.

Oh it was a jab at a guy who threw out blatant PK stats lies in the GT thread last nite. Re-reading it this was a dickish post without context.

Nothing against the OP at all! Sorry.