What happens when a hockey team takes a penalty? Learn all about penalty kill basics, strategies and more.

Whether you’re new to hockey or a fantasy hockey vet, understanding the penalty kill is essential to mastering the game. Penalty kills are game-changers that can swing momentum and dictate outcomes, so knowing how they work can give you a serious edge.

In this article, we break down the fundamentals of penalty kills — what they are, why they matter and the different strategies teams use to shut down their opponents. We’ll also explore how this critical aspect of hockey impacts fantasy leagues, giving the insights you need to draft smarter and play better. Let’s dive into the world of penalty kills and see how you can turn this knowledge into your next big win on Sleeper.

Penalty Kill in Hockey: Strategies, Formations & Tips

The penalty kill is one of the most important aspects of a hockey team. While most of the game is played at even strength, being able to kill off a penalty is crucial for a team’s success on a nightly basis and throughout the season.

What is a Penalty Kill in Hockey?

A penalty kill occurs after a team takes a minor penalty. The team on the penalty kill is left with just four skaters on the ice to the opposing team’s five. There are typically a few minor penalties taken per team in every game, although there are outliers as well.

The objective of the penalty kill is to not allow the opposition to score during the length of the penalty. While most penalties are just two minutes, there are double-minors for four-minute penalty kills, too. There is also the rare case of a five-minute major being assessed for a longer penalty kill.

5 Advantages of an Effective Penalty Kill

1. Shift Momentum

A team going on a power play has a great opportunity to score. While the game is tighter at even strength, a team having an extra man gives them a huge advantage. This means that every power play and penalty kill has the chance to shift momentum in a game. Having a strong penalty kill allows that team to take some of the momentum after killing off a crucial penalty.

2. Reduce Scoring Opportunities

An effective penalty kill will not only limit the opposition from scoring but it’ll reduce overall scoring opportunities as well. An attacking team may be a bit more tentative if they know a power play might not be as fruitful against a strong penalty kill.

3. Aggressive 5-on-5 play

A team that knows it has a strong penalty kill can take some extra risks at even strength without worrying about a potential penalty. If a team has a poor penalty kill, however, they may play more tentatively in order to avoid going down a man.

4. Counter-attacking

While the idea of a penalty kill is to not allow goals, some of the best units are ones that are capable of scoring goals themselves. A shorthanded goal can shift momentum immensely, and having a strong penalty kill allows those forwards to take a chance to jump into a passing lane to create a breakaway or odd-man rush.

5. Personnel advantage

Even if the team doesn’t score on the penalty kill, the opposing team will have used most of its top players on the power play. This will allow the penalty-killing team to use its top players against some of the lesser players following a successful penalty kill.

Exploring Different Penalty Kill Formations in Hockey

Not all penalty kills are created equal in both efficiency and formation. Having an effective penalty kill can actually come down to using the right formation for a team’s personnel.

Box Penalty Kill

The box formation on the penalty kill is exactly as it sounds. The four penalty killers form a box in the defensive zone to take away shooting and passing lanes. It can be a smaller more compact box or spread out more throughout the zone.

If done correctly, the box limits puck movement and can use sticks to disrupt play. However, the box may leave space open in the middle. An open forward in the middle of the ice can create a dangerous chance if the attacking team gets the puck to him in space.

Diamond Penalty Kill

The creativity goes up a notch with the diamond formation. Once again sounding just like its name, the diamond puts one defenseman in front of the net, one forward up top, and the two other skaters towards the outside to form a diamond.

A diamond formation can be used aggressively with the forward at the top jumping in pass lanes for a potential breakaway. It also can clear the front of the net with the defenseman parked out in front.

Wedge Penalty Kill

The wedge penalty kill, which is sometimes also called the Triangle +1, is perhaps one of the most aggressive formations. This puts the two defensemen in front of the net and one forward in the slot to form a triangle while the other forward pressures the puck.

This wedge formation is best used when a team has an aggressive forward who can read the play to negate chances and even create some of their own.

Selecting the Right Penalty Kill Strategy for Your Team

Teams can choose the best penalty-kill strategy for their unit based on their personnel as well as the situation. If a team is leading by two late in a game, perhaps they revert to a more passive strategy to keep the puck to the outside. If they need a goal, maybe they use the wedge to create a shorthanded chance.

It all depends on what a team is working with. If they have a few big defensemen who are elite on the penalty kill that could allow for a more aggressive forward up top as well. On the flip side, a team without much speed may just collapse into a box to take away shooting lanes.

Knowing which skaters are used on aggressive penalty kills can be beneficial for fantasy hockey, especially in leagues that award more points for shorthanded goals or assists.

Penalty Kill: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between penalty kill and power play?

A penalty kill and power play occur at the same time for opposite teams. In a 5-on-4 situation, the team with five skaters is on the power play while the team with four is on the penalty kill.

Who had the highest penalty kill in NHL history?

The 2011-12 New Jersey Devils had the best penalty kill in NHL history with an 89.6% success rate. The 1983-84 Edmonton Oilers had the most shorthanded goals in a season with 36.

What causes a power play in hockey?

A power play occurs when the opposing team takes a minor penalty or takes one more penalty than the opposition if there are multiple infractions called.

Your Source for Fantasy Hockey Insights

You should now know all about the penalty kill, its usage, its formations and how it impacts your fantasy hockey strategy. Make sure you stay updated with the latest news and best tools for your fantasy hockey experience on Sleeper. You can join by signing up on the website or downloading the app.