One of the Boston Bruins’ most consistent strengths over the years has been their penalty kill, a critical part of their defensive play. However, this season has marked a notable shift. With a penalty kill success rate of just 76.4%, the Bruins currently find themselves at the bottom of the league, with only 19 games remaining in the regular season.
That said, the team has seen an improvement in recent performances, successfully limiting opponents to only two goals on 15 power-play opportunities over the last five games.
Brandon Carlo credited Chris Kelly for the improvement, mentioning that Kelly has effectively taken charge of the penalty kill unit. During a conversation with NESN’s Adam Pellerin and Andy Brickley on the “The Hockey Hub” podcast, Carlo praised Kelly’s efforts.
Chris Kelly
Brickley also chimed in, emphasizing that a strong penalty kill relies not only on solid structure but also on knowing when to be aggressive and when to maintain defensive positioning. “Whether it’s Chris Kelly or Brandon Carlo,” Brickley noted, “the key to a good penalty kill is always about making the right decisions—being aggressive at the right moments while still holding your shape.
” Carlo agreed, mentioning that Kelly’s guidance has helped the team play with more assertiveness and confidence. He added that the team is now making better reads and clearing the puck when possible, which has been a crucial factor in their recent success, especially during their shutout loss to the Minnesota Wild.