Why Bruins Penalty Kill Has Seen More Success Lately

One of the Boston Bruins’ biggest strengths across many seasons has been the team’s penalty kill.

This season has been a completely different story. At a 76.4% success rate, the Bruins rank at the bottom of the league with only 19 games left in the regular season. However, the Black and Gold have seen more success over the last five games, holding opponents to just two goals on 15 opportunities.

“Chris Kelly has done a great job, he’s kind of taken over at this point,” Brandon Carlo told reporters after Boston’s shutout loss to the Minnesota Wild on Sunday, as seen on NESN’s postgame coverage. “He’s allowed us to be more assertive again on the kill. … I feel like we’re making appropriate reads and getting our clears when we can.”

NESN’s Adam Pellerin and Andy Brickley discussed the change to the penalty kill on the latest episode of “The Hockey Hub” podcast.

“I agree whether it’s Chris Kelly or Brandon Carlo, the decision making, when to be aggressive, when to hold your structure is always critical to a quality penalty kill,” Brickley said. “I think they are more aggressive and more aggressive at the right times.”

To hear more from Brickley on the latest episode of “The Hockey Hub” podcast, you can listen on Spotify or YouTube.