Adam Henrique’s absence has left a noticeable void in the Edmonton Oilers’ penalty kill (PK) unit. When Henrique was on the ice, Edmonton’s PK was solid, if not spectacular. Since his injury on January 3, the PK has struggled significantly.
Henrique may have lost a step in even-strength play, with rookie Samanski stepping up as a more effective two-way player in recent games. However, Henrique’s strength lies in his ability to read plays and position himself effectively on the PK. His experience in covering passing and shooting lanes remains invaluable.
Before his injury, Henrique led the forwards in PK ice time, averaging 1:42 per game. Edmonton's PK ranked 19th in the league with a clearance rate of 79.3 percent, reminiscent of their strong 2020-21 season.
In the 16 games since, the PK has plummeted to 29th, with a clearance rate of just 69.2 percent. This decline has been a key factor in Edmonton's inability to maintain winning streaks, particularly during their January home stand.
Connor McDavid has taken on more PK responsibility, leading forwards with 1:36 of ice time per game. However, the team’s struggles are evident in the mistakes made on Grade A shots against. Rookie Savoie has been the most reliable, with just 0.27 mistakes per 2 minutes of PK time, while others like Janmark have faltered, making 0.78 mistakes in the same span.
Janmark’s difficulties on the PK have become increasingly apparent. Once a reliable player, his effectiveness has waned, with misreads and slow reactions becoming more frequent. It’s time for the Oilers to reconsider their PK lineup, potentially focusing on Henrique, Savoie, Nugent-Hopkins, Podkolzin, and McDavid, with Samanski ready to step in upon recall.
Last season, Janmark performed better in limiting mistakes and generating shorthanded opportunities, but those days seem behind him. For the Oilers to reclaim their PK prowess, a strategic reshuffle is necessary, with Henrique’s return being a crucial component.