Today’s game of hockey can be characterized by two focuses and two words: special teams. Over the past few seasons, much has changed at all levels of hockey. Most of this change stems from increased attention by officials on the obstruction that had snuck into our game. Players and coaches had become adept at running interference and slowing down not only the game but also its most skilled players. A by-product of this change is a gigantic increase in the volume of penalties and an obvious effect that power plays and penalty kills have on the outcome of each game.

The penalty kill has in many ways turned into an art. Players who in years past may have played a lesser role because of their lack of offensive gifts are now playing a major role in making sure that the opposing power play does not affect their team’s chances of winning. Here are the keys to successful penalty killing:...