The Isles have struggled on the penalty kill all season, and after allowing PP goals in the last six games, the Isles again find themselves with the worst penalty kill in the NHL.
The Isles have allowed 37 goals in 137 times short, for a 73.0% penalty kill, slightly worse than Buffalo (73.7%) and Philadelphia (74.8%).
The Isles PK is last in the league at home (71.7%) and 27th on the road (74.0%).
However, it is that 73.0% overall penalty kill that earns the distinction, "historic".
No team in the last 20 years has functioned at that low of a rate; The 1993-94 Ottawa Senators killed 73.4% and the Isles are currently behind the Senators' pace.
Other teams prior to 1993-94 have been lower, with the worst being the 1979-80 Los Angeles Kings (67.7%).
Worst Isles penalty killing
2014-15 73.0%
1988-89 73.6%
1972-73 75.9%
1973-74 76.0%
2009-10 76.3%
The Isles have never made the playoffs in a season in which they killed fewer than 76.5 of opponent power plays.
One thing in the Isles' favor -- they have been shorthanded only 137 times -- which projects to 229 over 82 games, which would be the fewest in a full season in their history. Only Calgary and Carolina have been shorthanded less frequently than the Isles this season.
The Isles are towards the top of the NHL in PP opportunities as well (176), yet have scored three fewer power play goals than they have allowed. Their +39 differential is amongst the tops in the NHL.
Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since January 21, 1982. Visit my blog: NYISkinny.com and follow me on Twitter @ehornick
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