San Jose Sharks key statistics

NHL.com is providing in-depth analysis for each of its 31 teams throughout August. Today, three key statistics for the San Jose Sharks.

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1. Consistent and versatile

Throughout Joe Pavelski's NHL career, the Sharks forward has many interesting statistical distinctions, including:
-- He led the NHL with 22 deflections in 2017-18. Six were goals, tied with Erik Haula of the Vegas Golden Knights for first in the NHL.
-- He is one of four players to score at least 60 points in seven of the past eight seasons. The others are John Tavares of the Toronto Maple Leafs (who accomplished it with the New York Islanders), Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, and Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks.
-- Pavelski is one of three players to take at least 220 shots in nine of the past 10 seasons, along with Phil Kessel of the Pittsburgh Penguins (nine times) and Ovechkin (10 times).
-- He has received votes for the Selke Trophy, awarded to the best defensive forward in the NHL, in 11 straight seasons, the longest active streak in the NHL.
-- He has never had a negative plus/minus. Chris Kunitz of the Chicago Blackhawks and Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins are the other players with 12 consecutive seasons at even or better.
-- His NHL face-off winning percentage of 55.1 percent ranks eighth among the 370 active players who have taken at least 100 face-offs.
-- With 697 points (317 goals, 380 assists) in 888 games, he ranks fifth in scoring among those chosen No. 200 or later in the NHL Draft.

2. Blocking shots

The Sharks led the NHL with 1,381 blocked shots last season, which was up from 1,359 in 2016-17, which ranked second to the New York Islanders (1,363). It was the seventh consecutive season the Sharks ranked no lower than sixth.
Of the eight forwards to block 70 shots last season, three play for the Sharks: Logan Couture (72), Tomas Hertl (71) and Pavelski (70). Melker Karlsson had 69.
The Sharks were the only team with more blocked shots than hits. They ranked 29th with 1,380 hits last season, down from 1,539 in 2016-17, which ranked 27th.

3. Maintaining discipline

The Sharks allowed 34 power-play goals in 2017-18, the fewest in the NHL. San Jose killed 84.8 percent of its penalties last season, which ranked second in the NHL to the Los Angeles Kings (85.0 percent).
The Sharks spent 410:19 on the power play, and 363:17 killing penalties, for a difference of plus-47:02 that ranked fifth in the NHL. It was their seventh consecutive season in the top five. Since the information has been available starting in 2002-03, 2009-10 is the only season when the Sharks spent more time killing penalties than on the power play.