A look inside the Canucks early-season penalty killing struggles

CanucksArmy's Jeff Paterson writes that the Vancouver Canucks' penalty kill has struggled significantly to begin the season, allowing a league-worst eight power play goals on 19 opportunities for a 57.9 percent kill rate. Defenceman Filip Hronek has been on the ice for six of those goals, leading the NHL in power play goals against, while fellow defenceman Elias Pettersson was on the ice for five.

Paterson attributes the unit's difficulties to a tough early schedule, inexperienced young penalty killers adjusting to NHL responsibilities, and subpar goaltending. Goaltender Kevin Lankinen surrendered six power play goals across his four starts, while Leevi Meriläinen allowed two, combining for eight goals conceded against an expected total of 4.85.