EDMONTON, AB - Despite the Oilers still ranking last on the penalty kill at home (59.8 percent) and overall (73.9 percent), improvements have been made.
The club has killed 20 of their last 22 penalties and still owns the League's best road PK, which is clicking at an 86.8 percentage.
Ryan Strome is one of the Oilers who has assumed penalty killing responsibilities and has taken pride in it. He enjoys the duty and believes he can continue relieving offensive threats while shorthanded.
"I don't think I'm the reason the PK is better," Strome said on Wednesday. "I like to be on it. I'm a right-handed shot and I think I'm good at penalty killing."
Strome's biggest asset when shorthanded is his ability to read plays.
"I'm not a necessarily a pitbull out there that's going to block shots and run through guys," he said. "It's more my smarts and being in the right areas. I found a little niche there and it's nice to be involved. I just want to be a part of the team and help any way I can. I think I've helped the penalty kill, so I've done my part.
"When you get those minutes, you get into the game more, you feel responsible and you have a job to do. That's a good feeling for a player."
BLOG: Strome helping improve PK
"I just want to be a part of the team and help any way I can. I think I've helped the penalty kill, so I've done my part," said Strome.
