Perhaps the biggest area of concern for the Detroit Red Wings during the 2024-25 campaign was their penalty killing, which flirted with being the lowest ranked in NHL history since the stat began being tracked in the late 1970s.
The good news for the Red Wings among other things during their 9-5 start to the 2025-26 campaign is that their penalty killing efficiency has vastly improved.
Their penalty killing is humming along at a robust 87.2 percent efficiency, good for fifth overall in the NHL.
They've also maintained one of the better power-plays in the NHL, currently ranked 10th overall at 22.7 percent efficiency.
When asked what he believes the biggest differences between this season and last season in terms of penalty killing that have lent themselves to such an improvement, head coach Todd McLellan said he believes it begins between the pipes.
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"It starts with goaltending," McLellan said following Thursday's practice. "They have to make the expected save and then on the penalty kill, the goaltenders have to make the unexpected saves and we've been getting some of that."
"We've made some changes with our structure and our approach, the way we roll some players out, and it was just a clean sheet," he continued. "It was a clean starting sheet at the beginning of the year, we started all over. We paid attention to it, and we got off to a good start. All those things lend to a bit more confidence, and there's a long way to go."
The argument can be made that the Red Wings could potentially have attained a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season had their penalty killing been even average. Right now, it's among the best in the NHL, something they'd like to maintain.
"We'd like to maintain that position and that number if we can, but it takes a lot of work," McLellan said.
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It's been very difficult for the Florida Panthers to find results while playing on the road, and tonight, their task will only be tougher.
After dropping the opener of their road trip 7-3 to the Anaheim Ducks, the Panthers will remain in California to take on the Los Angeles Kings. In 2024-25, the Kings had the best home record, posting 31 wins in 41 games.
They've surprisingly struggled to pick up wins at home, owning a 1-3-2 record on home ice, but their stingy defensive structure keeps them in every game.
It's hard to generate a high volume of offensive chances against a team coached by Jim Hiller. The Kings are allowing 2.93 goals per game, ranking 14th in the NHL and are allowing 27.6 shots per game, ranking tied for 12th.
Tonight's contest appears, on paper, to be a defensive showdown. Both teams are posting near league-worst shooting percentages. The Panthers are scoring on just nine percent of their shots, sitting in 30th in the NHL, and the Kings are scoring on 9.4 percent of their shots, ranking tied for 26th.
The writing is all over the wall for this game to finish with a 2-1 or 3-2 scoreline.
Panthers in Los Angeles looking to break out of road funk Panthers aim to rebound from a deflating loss in Anaheim against a tough Kings team in LA, a place where Brad Marchand has seen a good amount of success. Although it's still early in the season, the Panthers are approaching desperate measures. They need to solve their road struggles before they dig themselves a hole that is too deep to climb out of. Following tonight's fixture, the Panthers take on the San Jose Sharks and the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Sharks are a high-flying young team, but have plenty of holes in their roster. The Golden Knights are among the favourites to hoist the Stanley Cup this season and have been clicking on all cylinders at home, boasting a 4-1-1 record.
It's not must-win territory, but a win could go a long way in helping turn things around.
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