Vancouver Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau hopes deploying Elias Pettersson on the penalty kill will provide an offensive jolt for the young superstar.
Pettersson has struggled to produce this season, registering just 13 points in 26 games. In Boudreau's debut behind the bench on Monday, Pettersson logged 39 seconds on the kill - a modest amount but still more than usual.
The veteran coach believes change can be a good thing.
"You look at good teams, a lot of their best offensive players are also better killers," Boudreau said, according to NHL.com's Kevin Woodley. "They get more ice time and they feel more into it, so it's a good thing as long as they're committed to doing the right things defensively."
Pettersson has only played 10:24 shorthanded in his career, but Boudreau thinks the responsibility of an expanded role can help rebuild the confidence his star has been missing this season.
"It's like a do-over," Boudreau said. "Sometimes new coaches come in and they put you in different positions, different roles, and it works for you."
The Canucks own the NHL's worst penalty kill this season, operating at a paltry 65.5%. They return to the ice Wednesday night against the Boston Bruins.
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