Key Stat for Each NHL Team’s Season as Final Week Approaches
As the final week of the NHL season approaches, The Athletic asked its NHL staff to provide a key statistic that sums up each team’s season. From leaky defenses to bad records against weaker teams, here are the defining numbers for all 32 teams.
Anaheim Ducks
425 penalties taken: The Ducks have found themselves in the penalty box more than any other team in the league. This has been detrimental to their success, especially considering their poor penalty kill, which ranks 31st in the NHL.
Arizona Coyotes
13-21-5 road record: The Coyotes have struggled on the road this season, winning only 13 out of 39 games away from home. Improving their performance on the road will be crucial for their success in the future.
Boston Bruins
114 combined points for Charlie Coyle and Pavel Zacha: With the retirements of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, the Bruins needed players to step up and fill their roles as top centers. Coyle and Zacha have exceeded expectations and matched the production of Bergeron and Krejci from last season.
Buffalo Sabres
95 first-period goals allowed: The Sabres have struggled to start games strong, allowing the most goals in the first period of any team in the league. This slow start has put them in a hole that they have been unable to dig out of.
Calgary Flames
17.4 percent power play: The Flames’ power play has not lived up to expectations this season. Despite having offensive talent and an improved roster, they have struggled to convert on the man advantage.
Carolina Hurricanes
26.9 percent power play: The Hurricanes’ power play has been a major source of success this season. With multiple players scoring double-digit goals with the man advantage, Carolina has one of the most potent power plays in the league.
Chicago Blackhawks
13 shutouts: The Blackhawks have been unable to find the back of the net consistently this season, resulting in a league-high number of shutouts. Their lack of offense has been a major factor in their struggles.
Colorado Avalanche
Nathan MacKinnon’s 116 speed bursts of 22-plus mph: MacKinnon’s incredible speed has been a key factor in the Avalanche’s success this season. His ability to blow by defenders creates scoring opportunities and makes Colorado a formidable opponent.
Columbus Blue Jackets
90 different line combinations: The Blue Jackets have had a chaotic season with numerous lineup changes and combinations. This instability has made it difficult for players to find chemistry and has contributed to their struggles.
Dallas Stars
Eight 20-plus-goal scorers: The Stars have had a balanced offensive attack this season, with eight players scoring 20 or more goals. This depth in scoring has been a major factor in their success.
Detroit Red Wings
3.30 goals against per game: The Red Wings have improved their scoring compared to last season but have struggled to prevent goals. Their inability to consistently keep pucks out of the net has hindered their chances of making the playoffs.
Edmonton Oilers
Calvin Pickard’s .913 save percentage: Pickard has provided stability in net for the Oilers after stepping in as the backup goaltender. His solid performance has helped alleviate the workload on starter Stuart Skinner.
Florida Panthers
56.98 percent goal share: The Panthers have been dominant in terms of goal-scoring, leading the league in goals-for percentage. Their offensive depth and strong power play have been major factors in their success.
Los Angeles Kings
Seven players who’ve hit the 40-point mark: The Kings have had a balanced scoring attack this season, with seven players reaching the 40-point mark. This collective approach to offense has helped secure a playoff berth for the third straight season.
Minnesota Wild
74.3 percent penalty kill: The Wild’s penalty kill has been a major weakness this season, ranking 30th in the league. Their struggles on the penalty kill have resulted in numerous goals against and have hindered their overall success.
Montreal Canadiens
20 goals and 50 points for Juraj Slafkovský: Slafkovský has had a strong season, reaching the 20-goal and 50-point milestones. His production has been a bright spot for the Canadiens and a sign of future success.
Nashville Predators
3.20 goals per game: The Predators have seen a significant increase in their scoring compared to last season. This offensive improvement, coupled with their strong defensive play, has propelled them into playoff contention.
New Jersey Devils
.888 save percentage: Goaltending has been a major issue for the Devils this season. Their inability to get consistent saves has hindered their chances of success, and they will look to address this issue in the offseason.
New York Islanders
16:38 per game trailing: The Islanders have often found themselves playing from behind this season, spending an average of 16 minutes and 38 seconds per game trailing their opponents. This inability to hold leads has been a major factor in their struggles.
New York Rangers
Four times with two or more regulation losses in a row: The Rangers have done an impressive job of bouncing back after losses this season, avoiding extended losing streaks. Their ability to quickly recover from defeats bodes well for their playoff aspirations.
Ottawa Senators
4-33-2 in games with sub-.900 save percentage: The Senators’ record in games where their goaltenders have a sub-.900 save percentage highlights their struggles in net. Inconsistency in goal has been a major factor in their inability to make the playoffs.
Philadelphia Flyers
.896 save percentage: Goaltending has been a major issue for the Flyers this season, with their goaltenders posting a save percentage of .896. This lack of consistent saves has contributed to their downfall.
Pittsburgh Penguins
14.2 percent power play: Despite having star players like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, the Penguins have struggled on the power play this season. Their inability to convert with the man advantage has been a mystery and a potential obstacle in their playoff run.
San Jose Sharks
Minus-135 goal differential: The Sharks have the worst goal differential in the league, reflecting their struggles on both ends of the ice. Their lack of high-end talent has made it difficult for them to compete.
Seattle Kraken
205 goals: The Kraken have struggled to find consistent scoring this season, ranking among the lowest-scoring teams in the league. Despite strong goaltending and a solid two-way game, their inability to generate offense has hindered their success.
St. Louis Blues
0-2-1 against the Sharks: The Blues’ struggles against lesser opponents have cost them valuable points in the playoff race. Their winless record against the Sharks, along with losses to other bottom-five teams, has proved costly.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Nikita Kucherov’s 141 points: Kucherov has been the driving force behind the Lightning’s success this season. His offensive brilliance has propelled Tampa Bay and made him a frontrunner for the Hart Trophy.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Auston Matthews’ 68 goals: Matthews’ historic goal-scoring season has been the highlight for the Maple Leafs. His ability to find the back of the net consistently has been crucial to Toronto’s success.
Vancouver Canucks
102.8 PDO: The Canucks’ PDO, which combines their five-on-five save and shooting percentages, has been one of the highest in the league. While luck has played a role, Vancouver’s improved defensive play and offensive talent have also contributed to their success.
Washington Capitals
11 wins in one-goal games: The Capitals have excelled in close games, winning 11 out of 13 games decided by one goal. Their ability to come out on top in tight contests has been key to their playoff push.
Winnipeg Jets
194 goals against: The Jets have made significant improvements defensively under coach Rick Bowness. Their commitment to a structured defensive system has resulted in the fewest goals against in the league, making them a playoff contender.
As the final week of the NHL season approaches, each team’s key statistic provides insight into their performance and areas for improvement. With the playoffs on the horizon, teams will be looking to address these key areas and make a push for success on the ice.