Penguins return many key pieces from last year's top 10 penalty-killing unit

Success on the penalty kill was insufficient to save the Pittsburgh Penguins from themselves last year, as a host of other inconsistencies and shortcomings tanked their postseason aspirations for the second straight season.

But being solid short-handed was and is far better than the inverse.

Heading into the 2024-25 campaign, the Penguins, who finished tied for 10th in the NHL last year with an overall kill rate of 80.7%, look like they have a blueprint to once again be effective against opposing power plays.

“I think we’ve got a solid foundation,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “I think the guys that are returning have familiarity with how we like to kill. I thought those guys did a terrific job for the most part last year. In that aspect, it was one of the highlights of our overall team game.”

The Penguins’ top two penalty-killing blueliners, Marcus Pettersson and Kris Letang, are back and look to heavily factor in short-handed again.

Pettersson led the team last year with an average of 2 minutes, 40 seconds nightly on the penalty kill, and Letang logged 2:32.

Looking at the forwards, Noel Acciari (2:17) and Lars Eller (2:11) also return.

“That should be our bar, to be at least where we were at and hopefully better,” Eller said. “We have a system we have confidence and trust in. A lot of times also, those stats, your goaltender has to be your best penalty-killer.”

Last season, when the Penguins were on the penalty kill, Tristan Jarry faced 168 shots, making 144 saves for a save percentage of .857.

Alex Nedeljkovic, who is out week-to-week with an undisclosed ailment to begin the season, made 138 save attempts on 158 opposing power-play shots, posting a slightly better save percentage of .873.

For comparison, 2024 Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets had a .861 short-handed save percentage.

With Nedeljkovic out, the Penguins’ penalty-killers will likely be skating in front of rookie Joel Blomqvist in some capacity, as he appears positioned to start the season as backup goalie.

“Our goaltenders, I think, were really good, especially on the (penalty kill) last year,” Eller said. “You know it’s four, but it’s really a five-man unit. That’s how I think about it. We’re only as good as we make each other good. But I have good confidence in the group.”

The Penguins do have to replace forward Jeff Carter, who retired, and blueliner Chad Ruhwedel, who was traded to the New York Rangers last season, both of whom were regular penalty-killers.

Also of note is the preseason concussion suffered by first-year forward Blake Lizotte, who was expected to see extended action on the penalty kill.

His indefinite absence creates another hole, as during the preseason Lizotte had been paired often with Noel Acciari, presumably with hopes they could begin the year as one of the club’s top short-handed forward tandems.

Acciari in particular will do his part to bring along newcomers to the Penguins’ penalty kill, helping to familiarize them with the system.

“I think we can continue and be better than top 10, for sure,” Acciari said. “Just little keys that helped me, pass that along, which helps them be quicker and helps you get on the same page earlier to hit the ground running for Game 1.”

“It’s actually very effective … it’s a very hard (penalty kill) to play against. I enjoyed it.”

Also back looking to build off last year’s short-handed success are forward Drew O’Connor and defenseman Jack St. Ivany, who averaged 1:43 and 1:46, respectively.

Defenseman Ryan Graves, who saw 1:59 of action per night short-handed, also returns.

Ultimately, a blueprint is only a blueprint.

The Penguins still have to execute.

But with the club’s season opener vs. the Rangers set for Wednesday, Sullivan is pleased with the penalty kill’s progress and potential.

“We like what we’ve seen so far,” Sullivan said. “I think the foundation we have on the penalty kill is pretty solid, and I think the new guys that we’re going to assimilate into that group will pick up the concepts pretty quickly.”