Pittsburgh Penguins History: Most Efficient Shooters in Playoff History
By Rob Joncas
The Pittsburgh Penguins have employed some of the finest goal scorers, but where do they rank on the list for most efficient shooters in Penguins playoff history?
The Pittsburgh Penguins have employed some of the finest goal scorers in NHL history in Mario Lemieux, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Jaromir Jagr, but were they the most efficient shooters in Penguins playoff history? Let’s take a look.
Shooting percentage is probably not the first thing you think of when you hear Asham’s name. A Career ‘tough guy” who earned 1004 penalty minutes (PIM) in 789 games played (GP) over his 15-year career, with the Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers.
Asham scored 94 career goals on 859 shots, giving a career shooting percentage (SH%) of 10.9.
During his two seasons with the Penguins from 2010-12, Asham scored 10 regular season goals on 109 shots, giving him an SH% of 9.2.
In the playoffs, Asham displayed some offensive flash as he scored three goals on 9 shots in 10 GP with the Penguins giving him a SH% of 33. Making him of the most efficient playoff shooters in Pittsburgh’s history.
A veteran of 1137 GP and a 16.97 SH% prior to his arrival to Pittsburgh, Roberts was brought into the Penguins organization in 2007 to bring a veteran presence into the locker room and to provide leadership to the stable of young studs Pittsburgh was developing at the time.
Roberts appeared in 57 regular-season games with the Penguins from 2006-08 and scored 10 goals on 72 shots for a 13.9 SH%.
The post-season saw Roberts greatly improve his SH% to 30.8, as he scored four goals on 13 shots in 16 GP with Pittsburgh, making him of the most efficient playoff shooters in Pittsburgh’s history.
Hrdina was selected by the Penguins in the fifth round (128th overall) of the 1995 NHL entry draft making him one of two homegrown players to make our list.
Hrdina appeared in 336 regular-season games with Pittsburgh from 1998-2003 and scored 79 goals on 466 shots to earn a 17.0 SH%.
In the playoffs, Hrdina upped his SH% to 27.8 by scoring 10 goals on 36 shots in 40 GP from 1998-2001.
On a side note, Hrdina was credited with the game-winning goal in a 4-2 Pittsburgh victory over New Jersey in the 1999 playoffs.
Guentzel is the second homegrown player to make our list. Since arriving in Pittsburgh, Guentzel has established himself as one of the most prolific scorers on the team and found a permanent home flanking Crosby on the top line.
Guentzel has played 243 games with the Penguins since 2016 and has scored 98 goals on 606 shots, which gives him a SH% of16.2.
In 41 career playoff games, Guentzel has scored 24 goals on 97 shots for a SH% of 24.7. It is worth noting that Guentzel scored five GWG in the 2016-17 playoffs, joining Lemieux as the only other Penguins player to reach that total.
John Slaney and Dave Michayluk
Only two shooters in Penguins history have achieved 100% efficiency with their shots in the playoffs, Slaney and Michayluk.
Slaney played in two games for the Penguins during the 2000 playoffs, and scored a powerplay goal with his only shot, in Game 4 of Pittsburgh’s series vs. Washington.
An interesting note here is that Slaney scored his first of two career playoff goals as a member of the Capitals, who were playing the Penguins in Game 6 of their 1994 series, it was also a powerplay goal.
Michayluk made his triumphant return to the NHL in the 1991-92 playoffs for the first time since he was a member of the Flyers in 1983. Michayluk spent the majority of his time with Pittsburgh’s farm team’s in Baltimore and Muskegon.
Michayluk played in seven games for the Penguins in their series against New York, Boston, and Chicago. He scored his only goal in Pittsburgh’s 5-1 victory in Game 4 of the series against Boston. He also chipped in an assist in Game 1 of the series.
Were you surprised by any names on the Pittsburgh Penguins most efficient shooter list? Drop them in the comment section below.