Penalty Kill Continues to Perplex Red Wings
By Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey News
Just when it was looking as though the Detroit Red Wings were figuring out their penalty kill, things took another turn for the ugly on the weekend.
In consecutive losses to the Toronto Maple Leafs (3-1) and New York Rangers (4-0), the Red Wings were allowing three opposition power-play goals on four opportunities.
“It’s really frustrating because all three goals were – I’m not going to say go as far as nothing, but as you look, the goals are tough to eat,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said.
The Red Wings currently sit 31st overall in the 32-team NHL on the penalty kill. Their success rate – and in this case, that’s certainly a relative term – is a dismal 65.0%.
“We’re trying to do the right things, but we have to be better,” Detroit defenseman Moritz Seider said.
It was looking as though the club was locating a solution to their PK woes. After allowing 10 power-play goals through their first eight games, Detroit was holding opponents to one goal on eight opportunities over the next four games.
Then the dam burst again on the weekend.
Red Wings Need To Up The Aggression
Part of the solution may be coming in what awaits the club. Detroit is beginning a four-game road trip on Wednesday at Pittsburgh.
Oddly enough, the Red Wings are better road penalty kill team (72.2%) than they are at home (59.1%).
Those who are part of the Detroit penalty kill unit are seeing a simple solution to this dilemma. It’s to implement that old football cheerleader chant – be aggressive.
“It’s just details and being sharp and being aggressive,” defenseman Ben Chiarot was explaining. “I think that’s when our penalty kill has been the best.
“It’s when we’re aggressive and taking time and space away and not giving the other team kind of the looks that they want.”
Seider sees the same issue as Chiarot.
“We have to elevate our game a little more,” Seider said. “We have to be intense when the puck drops.”