Senators Hurricanes Hockey

Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) watches the puck as Carolina Hurricanes' Jordan Martinook, front left, and Senators' Jake Sanderson (85) clash during the second period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, April 20, 2026.

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The NHL playoffs are nearing a record for penalty shots and it's still the first round

The NHL playoffs are nearing a record for penalty shots and it's still the first round

The start of the NHL playoffs has already featured more penalty shots than the last three years combined. Through just 21 games there have been four penalty shots, which is already tied for the third-most in league history. The goaltenders stopped all of them. Two more would tie the record of six for the most in a single postseason, set in 2008. There doesn't seem to be any specific reason for the uptick in referees calling for penalty shots rather than power plays for infractions on breakaways. But they have added a dose of excitement to a competitive first round.