Would You Rather Kill A Penalty or Defend A Penalty Shot?

[Red7]

Obviously, it might depend on who was taking the PS, but given the league wide lack of success in shootouts, I’d take my chances on one shot than maybe 3-4.

[bgwinn01]

Good post. I was wondering the same thing. Jets didn't get a choice, obviously but interesting question.

[theograce]

Bieksa brought up something and I fully agree.

Refs need to automatically assume a penalty shot on a play like that (like they do for match penalties). Then they can quickly review.

Make it a part of the culture … then refs won’t be as afraid to make that call in critical situations.

[bluetunehead]

Statistically teams are something like 30% in the shootout overall, which is higher than on the powerplay. But that’s also a curated list of shooters. Penalty shots don’t give you the choice. So I’d guess most coaches would rather *get* a powerplay unless you’re talking about someone like Oshie or Datsyuk getting the penalty shot.

As far as the inverse, it probably depends on your opinion of your goalie.

[Red7]

Penalty shots (and shoot out attempts) are much different today than say 20-30 years ago. Back then you were limited to one move or deke and then you had to shoot. It’s not like today where you can make multiple moves, order a Starbucks, watch a Facebook meme before shooting.

[stlblue06]

Penalty shots are so rare that I have no idea the success rate vs a SO attempt.

Just going off what I’ve seen (mostly with the Blues), a PS isn’t that successful compared to a shootout where the players are selected, ready, and practiced on their moves.

It would be nice if refs awarded penalty shots more often. It’s much more exciting than a PP and they can’t be that higher of a conversion rate

[bluetunehead]

Went and did the math and the penalty shot conversion rate over the last 10 seasons is just under 28% (131 out of 441).

Powerplay conversion usually hovers around 20% every year, obviously varying by team.

[blackinkbiz]

Obviously, it might depend on who was taking the PS, but given the league wide lack of success in shootouts, I’d take my chances on one shot than maybe 3-4.

Just FYI, it wasn't 4 on 3 in last night's OT because it was the playoffs. Just a regular 5 on 4 power play.

[bluetunehead]

Obviously, it might depend on who was taking the PS, but given the league wide lack of success in shootouts, I’d take my chances on one shot than maybe 3-4.

Just FYI, it wasn't 4 on 3 in last night's OT because it was the playoffs. Just a regular 5 on 4 power play.

I think he meant he’d take the chance of defending one attempt on a penalty shot than 3 to 4 attempts at a goal on a PK.

[dhsux]

Went and did the math and the penalty shot conversion rate over the last 10 seasons is just under 28% (131 out of 441).

Powerplay conversion usually hovers around 20% every year, obviously varying by team.

That surprises me.

The call for a PS should be made as it is by the refs determination but the option for a 5/4 PP should be available to the offended team, IMO.

It's not just the odds on scoring it's the 2 mins off the clock that is often important. It's who the shooter is that's important. It's also dependent upon who the goalie is and how he is playing.

The PS is always like the extra mile in called offenses but in reality a lot of the time a PP would be better....so give the offended team their choice.

[Wattage]

Statistically teams are something like 30% in the shootout overall, which is higher than on the powerplay. But that’s also a curated list of shooters. Penalty shots don’t give you the choice. So I’d guess most coaches would rather *get* a powerplay unless you’re talking about someone like Oshie or Datsyuk getting the penalty shot.

As far as the inverse, it probably depends on your opinion of your goalie.

Its worth noting that the comparison also wont be perfect because not all powerplays are the full 2 minutes with part being 4 vs 4 and only a minute of piwerplay which lowers success, but then some powerplays are 4 or 5 minutes or a five on 3. Which greatly increases the success percentage

[Wattage]

Went and did the math and the penalty shot conversion rate over the last 10 seasons is just under 28% (131 out of 441).

Powerplay conversion usually hovers around 20% every year, obviously varying by team.

That surprises me.

The call for a PS should be made as it is by the refs determination but the option for a 5/4 PP should be available to the offended team, IMO.

It's not just the odds on scoring it's the 2 mins off the clock that is often important. It's who the shooter is that's important. It's also dependent upon who the goalie is and how he is playing.

The PS is always like the extra mile in called offenses but in reality a lot of the time a PP would be better....so give the offended team their choice.

Its worth noting that powerplay success percentage doesnt count all the goals scored right after a powerplay gets ozt or a result of wearkng the defense out on powerplay.

Ultimately, while law of averages favors penalty shot it definitely matters who the actual shooter is.

[Cahokanut]

100% a Penalty shot.
It gives my team a time out and my top players more time in the offensive zone.

But first.
A Penalty on a player that has a clear opportunity to score should come with more consequences then a trip at mid ice. A penalty shot should be the "more consequences" with the 2 minutes following the shot.

[Inglewood Jack]

Went and did the math and the penalty shot conversion rate over the last 10 seasons is just under 28% (131 out of 441).

Powerplay conversion usually hovers around 20% every year, obviously varying by team.

That surprises me.

The call for a PS should be made as it is by the refs determination but the option for a 5/4 PP should be available to the offended team, IMO.

It's not just the odds on scoring it's the 2 mins off the clock that is often important. It's who the shooter is that's important. It's also dependent upon who the goalie is and how he is playing.

The PS is always like the extra mile in called offenses but in reality a lot of the time a PP would be better....so give the offended team their choice.

As a goalie, give me the 1 v1. As for the stats, I would prefer to throw in the OT shootouts as it is similar to the PS. Perhaps a bit dif but same concept, and way too lazy to look it up. If the goalie stops the PS, there seems to be a lot of emotion to ride and giving up a goal does not seem to be cary team emotional weight, more of "Dont worry we'll get it back" team attitude. At least the teams i have been on. Versus expending energy on a pk. And for a keeper a lot of movement to defend. Just my 2 pennies

[Red7]

Obviously, it might depend on who was taking the PS, but given the league wide lack of success in shootouts, I’d take my chances on one shot than maybe 3-4.

Just FYI, it wasn't 4 on 3 in last night's OT because it was the playoffs. Just a regular 5 on 4 power play.

I meant 1 shot v 3-4 shots

[TheJackBurton]

Defend the penalty shot. With OT having shootouts, goalers have a really, really good understanding of what shooters will do and better than average chance of stopping it, then you don't have to kill the penalty.