There are items of Hilary Knight’s statistics that look the same. She played 24 games in year one, and has played 24 in year two. In year one, Knight fired 84 shots. Through 24 games in year two, Knight had 85 shots. In year one, Knight had six penalty minutes, in year two, only eight penalty minutes through 24 games.
Beyond those numbers, everything has changed for Hilary Knight. Her performance in the PWHL has truly been a case of Knight and day.
In the inaugural 2024 PWHL season, Hilary Knight, known as one of the most prolific scorers in international history for USA, had only 11 points. In the same number of games in 2024-25, Knight has 13 goals and a league leading 26 points.
What has changed for Hilary Knight?
From the eye test, it looks like Hilary Knight had the summer of her life. Boston’s roster in year one was slow, across the board. Knight was no exception. In year two, she looks more powerful, and is finding her space in the offensive zone in a way she wasn’t in year one. Too many times in year one, it looked like Knight was shooting from outside, instead of taking the middle of the ice. In year two, she’s back in the slot, driving the net and using her size and strength to redirect pucks, and gain secondary scoring chances. She’s also been effective on the power play, scoring three goals with the player advantage. In year one, Knight did not score a power play goal.
The other item that has changed in Boston, is the addition of players who better compliment Knight’s skill set. She’s excelled internationally alongside speedy youth who track pucks and apply pressure. This season, the additions of Hannah Bilka and Shay Maloney, and the continued chemistry with Susanna Tapani and Alina Muller at different points in the season, have all combined to result in a dominant campaign for Hilary Knight.
Is Hilary Knight the PWHL’s MVP?
Knight will certainly be in the running for the PWHL’s Best Forward and MVP honors. Her impact on Boston’s offense this season is hard to argue. Knight has recorded a point on 39% of Boston’s goals this season. Knight has been kept off the scoresheet eight times this season. Of those eight games, Boston lost four. She’s not alone on Boston’s roster in terms of importance. Alina Muller had a dismal first month of the season going eight straight games without a point. During that stretch, Boston was only 3-5. Since then, Muller has 17 points in 16 games, and the Fleet are 11-5 in that stretch.
