Penalty Kill Helps NY Rangers Keep Elite Special Teams Play Against Blues in 3-1 Win

A win after a difficult stretch

The Rangers opened the 2026-27 season with a 6-2-0 record, then struggled as injuries accumulated. They went 1-5-1 during a difficult run before defeating St. Louis 3-1 in their most recent game.

Through 16 games, special teams have been a consistent strength, particularly the penalty kill. New York’s results have varied, but its success while shorthanded has remained notable.

Penalty kill leads the NHL

The Rangers killed all six penalties against the Blues, lifting their penalty-kill rate to 90.38%. That moved them ahead of the Dallas Stars, who are at 90.00%, for the NHL lead.

According to NHL.com, New York has recorded 11 perfect penalty kills this season, tying for second in that category. Opponents have had 52 power-play opportunities, the 11th-highest total in the league, and scored only five times. That total is tied with Dallas and the Nashville Predators for the league low.

Power play falls behind

The Rangers’ special-teams profile has changed from last season. Their 79.92% penalty kill ranked 15th, while their 24.65% power play ranked fifth in the NHL. This season, New York’s power play is converting at 18.60%, good for 21st place. Its penalty kill, by contrast, has become the team’s standout unit.

Key contributors on the kill

Head coach Mike Sullivan has discussed defensive-structure problems that have created challenges for the goalies. Even so, the Rangers have continued to deliver on the penalty kill. Braden Schneider and Marcus Pettersson have drawn criticism for their overall play, but each has contributed heavily while shorthanded, with 45:10 and 40:43 of penalty-kill ice time, respectively, according to Natural Stat Trick. Vladislav Gavrikov has logged 45:07, while forward Will Cuylle leads the forwards with 36:21 and has scored a shorthanded goal.