Pittsburgh Penguins History: Seasons with the Lowest Goals Allowed
By Rob Joncas
Here’s a look at Pittsburgh Penguins seasons with the least goals allowed.
Today we are looking at the seasons the Pittsburgh Penguins goaltenders allowed the lowest number of goals per game.
If you have ever had a doubt regarding the impact Marc-Andre Fleury had to the Penguins, then you will want to pay close attention to the number of seasons that he positively contributed to the Penguins bottom “goal” line.
Note: As with our other goalie piece this week, this piece is presented with the stats as they are, we did not do extreme calculations, just presenting things we find interesting.
2013-14 and 2014-15
We kick off our list with two seasons where the Penguins had the exact same total of goals allowed per game (GA/GP). During the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons, the Penguins GA/GP was 2.49.
In 2013-14, the tandem of Fleury and Jeff Zatkoff allowed 204 goals on 2358 shots, for a combined goals-against average (GAA) of 2.43.
The Penguins penalty kill (PK) functioned at a rate of 85% and overall the Penguins blocked 1187 shots from hitting the net.
The next season (2014-15) the Penguins utilized three goaltenders in Fleury, Zatkoff, and Thomas Griess (although, Zatkoff only played one game).
Overall the trio allowed 218 goals against (GA) on 2401 shots and backstopped themselves to a combined GAA of 2.38.
The PK operated at a slightly lower rate than the previous season at a rate of 84.84% and the team blocked a total of 1094 shots.
2015-16
The next season on our list is the 2015-16 season where the Penguins captured their fourth Stanley Cup and deployed another triad of ‘tenders in Fleury, Zatkoff, and Matt Murray.
The group surrendered 199 goals on 2436 shots (29.7 SPG) for a combined GAA of 2.32, with six shutouts and GA/GP of 2.42.
The team blocked 1091 shots from reaching their target and the PK functioned at a rate of 84.44%.
2010-11
The 2010-11 Penguins, deployed Fleury and Brent Johnson to help the claim the franchises second-best GA/GP (2.39).
Fleury and Johnson allowed 196 goals on 2352 shots-against (28.27 SPG) for a GAA of 2.28 with five shut-outs.
The team blocked a total of 1080 shots and had a PK that operated at a rate of 86.11%
1997-98
The 1997-98 season saw Tom Barrasso, Ken Wregget, and Peter Skudra combine for the lowest GA/GP (2.29) in franchise history.
The trinity allowed 188 goals on 2202 shots (26.9 SPG) and they combined for a GAA of 2.11, with seven shout-outs. The PK also functioned at 86.4%
Which set of goalies was/are your favorite for the Pittsburgh Penguins? Drop them in the comment section below!