Let’s examine some of the teams that have accumulated the highest penalty minutes (PIMs) during the 2023-24 season and contrast them with the team that has the fewest PIMs. The list is organized in descending order, starting with the most penalized team and going down to the fifth most penalized team.
- Anaheim Ducks – 406 PIMs
The Anaheim Ducks have recorded by far the most penalty minutes this season, and it’s not even close. Anaheim is averaging 5.62 penalties a game, and they currently hold a penalty minute differential of 101; both of these stats are league worsts as well. The Ducks at the moment are 31st out of 32 teams, and if you watch anyone who regularly watches Anaheim play, they would certainly say the penalties are the teams biggest flaw this season. When they’re on the penalty kill 5+ times a game, it’s really hard to get any momentum going.
2. Florida Panthers – 343 PIMs
The Florida Panthers could find themselves on this list, given their recent intense game against the Ottawa Senators, where the two teams amassed a total of 167 penalty minutes. However, Panthers fans need not be overly concerned, as a significant portion of these penalties were incurred during that heated brawl with Ottawa. Additionally, the team has been involved in numerous fights throughout the season, contributing to the overall penalty count.
3. Arizona Coyotes – 342 PIMs
Given that the Coyotes are a relatively young team, their presence on this list isn’t unexpected. The primary concern with the Coyotes is their penalty minute differential, which stands at 44. While this might seem modest compared to the Ducks’ differential, it still ranks among the league’s worst. Despite having a mediocre penalty kill and an impressive powerplay, the Coyotes consistently find themselves on the wrong side of penalties.
4. Ottawa Senators – 340 PIMs
As mentioned earlier, both the Panthers and Senators wouldn’t be included in this list if it weren’t for the intense altercation on November 27th in Ottawa. Notably, the Senators are ranked in the top 5 for most major penalties. Consequently, the usual worry about teams accruing too many minor penalties throughout the game doesn’t apply to this team. It’s worth highlighting that Ottawa maintains a negative differential in penalty minutes, a positive indicator as they receive more powerplays than they concede.
5. Tampa Bay Lightning – 340 PIMs
It’s likely not a shock to many hockey enthusiasts that the Tampa Bay Lightning are featured on this list, given their consistently high level of intensity on the ice. Tampa Bay is averaging 4.06 penalties per game, and their penalty minute differential is only 10.
32. St. Louis Blues – 202 PIMs
To provide some context on the relatively low penalty minutes for certain teams, consider the St. Louis Blues, who have only accumulated 202 penalty minutes against them this season. Despite ranking poorly in both power play percentage (PP%) and penalty kill percentage (PK%), the Blues find themselves just one spot away from securing a wild card spot in the Western Conference. They rank dead with a PP% of 8.1.
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