Babcock Talks About Penalty Kill Problems

[Elshupacabra 0]

Babcock searching for penalty-killing answers

Mike Babcock is resorting to flattery to figure out the Red Wings' penalty-killing problems.

"Today I sat down and I watched three games of penalty kill, the Rangers, Minnesota and Buffalo," Babcock told NHL.com earlier this week. "They're all right at the top (of the NHL). You always say if someone is doing better, let's flatter them and steal what they got."

The Rangers, Wild and Sabres ranked first, second and third, respectively, in the PK department after Thursday's games. The Red Wings were 27th.

Edited February 9, 2009 by Elshupacabra

[Spinner 6]

Whatever it takes!

[dat's sick 1,002]

I don't know if we can learn much from the Rangers. They live by that saying "your goaltender should be your best penalty-killer".

[Grim 5]

the problem is Draper-Maltby's line. Those guys can no longer fill their role. we can't/shouldnt expect Z and Pavs to block shots during the PK, at least not during the regular season.

[mjlegend 155]

Hopefully it involves our D being more active and our forwards more willing to put in some shot-blocking practice. Seems like there's too many guys down low waiting to poke at rebounds and way too many back-door plays to an open man.

[Ms_Hockey 0]

I honestly can't think of a reason why Pav & Z should be split up. The "potent scoring line" argument, as someone else has mentioned, doesn't hold much water in my mind due to the depth we have. I mean, we had 8 different players score goals against Edmonton.

Hossa can create a scoring line, no matter who he's with. Franzen & Hudler together can make a scoring line themselves.

I just can't think of a viable reason to split those two up.

[CenterIce 83]

Hopefully it involves our D being more active and our forwards more willing to put in some shot-blocking practice. Seems like there's too many guys down low waiting to poke at rebounds and way too many back-door plays to an open man.

Spot on.

[Grim 5]

right now, Conks looks better at controlling rebounds than Ozzie

[LIDDYGIBBY5 1]

The problem doesn't seem to be positioning. They are usually in the correct spots, but just seem to be going through the motions. Not blocking shots, not forcing the play to the outside w/o allowing wide open centering passes, not knocking the hell out of someone if the get a chance. Yesterday's game looked like different team on the PK. They did all of the things I listed above.

[LIDDYGIBBY5 1]

the problem is Draper-Maltby's line. Those guys can no longer fill their role. we can't/shouldnt expect Z and Pavs to block shots during the PK, at least not during the regular season.

1. You can't blame two players for a team problem. They have been terrible no matter who is on the ice.

2. We can and should expect Z and Pav to block shots all season. If it was good enough for Yzerman than it is good enough for these two. Did you hear during yesterday's broadcast about Stevie going down to block shots in the pre-season? Talk about a way to teach your young players!

[LidsFan 68]

I liked the way the team killed penalties against the Pens yesterday. I liked how they were aggressive, quick to the puck, and willing to block shots. I was really impressed with Dan Cleary. If the Wings continue to play like that , then they should be fine.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

I liked the way the team killed penalties against the Pens yesterday. I liked how they were aggressive, quick to the puck, and willing to block shots. I was really impressed with Dan Cleary. If the Wings continue to play like that , then they should be fine.

The team killed penalties really well yesterday because they did so with a sense of urgency. When this team is motivated to do well from the start of the game they can play Red Wings hockey.

[VM1138 1,921]

The team killed penalties really well yesterday because they did so with a sense of urgency. When this team is motivated to do well from the start of the game they can play Red Wings hockey.

Hopefully they keep it up.

Babcock mentioned blocking shots, and then the Pens game was FULL of blocked shots, I don't know which one came first, but it's an indication that they know how to fix this now.

[xBrave_Heartx 0]

Hey babcock, you notice how we held the pens off the board? you know why? we blocked shots and hussled.. you dont need to steal strategies, you need to bust out the whip, and start whipping the boys into stanley cup winning shape.

[Wingsallwin 0]

2 reasons we sucked up.

-Bad goaltending

-Bad defenses

However, lately our defenses have been IMPROVED, still not as much as last season but I don't think we can blame all bad Pk on defenses anymore.

Goalies should be the best penalty killer and that is what Conklin has done. He looks very calm in the all big games this season, no shaking up. We need to see how Osgood will do on PK too for late of the season but if he does not improve, no more chance.

Edited February 9, 2009 by Wingsallwin

[Wingsallwin 0]

I sometimes do not understand Babcock's PK stragedy. Why did he put KOPECKY in the PK?

In my personal thinking, Maltby has been our best 4th liner and Draper has been looked better than one month ago.

Kopecky should not be resigned. If Kenny resigns him because of resigining Hossa, that is ridiculous.

[Blueliner 69]

I think playing in the Eastern Conference would dramatically improve the PK.

[Doggy 130]

I don't know if we can learn much from the Rangers. They live by that saying "your goaltender should be your best penalty-killer".

I haven't watched a massive amount of Rangers hockey but they're PK is very good. Just then they just completely shut down a Devils 5 on 3 for almost 90 secs. NJ didn't get a shot, they barely possessed the puck. It was the best penalty kill I've seen in a long time... possibly ever. Unbelievable.

Edited February 10, 2009 by Doggy

[Casey 145]

right now, Conks looks better at controlling rebounds than Ozzie

True. Ozzie's been letting rebounds out, Conks is either directing them safely or covering them. That's the difference between the #5 GAA and the #45.

[eva unit zero 271]

I sometimes do not understand Babcock's PK stragedy. Why did he put KOPECKY in the PK?

In my personal thinking, Maltby has been our best 4th liner and Draper has been looked better than one month ago.

Kopecky should not be resigned. If Kenny resigns him because of resigining Hossa, that is ridiculous.

Simple answer? Because Kopecky has been playing better defensively recently than Draper and Maltby, who play on the PK unit regularly. He's also a MUCH better physical player. Giving him a shot on the PK is a reasonable thought based on that, and if he outperforms Draper and Maltby there, then why not keep him there?

Edited February 10, 2009 by eva unit zero

[hardcoretom21 71]

the problem is Draper-Maltby's line. Those guys can no longer fill their role. we can't/shouldnt expect Z and Pavs to block shots during the PK, at least not during the regular season.

Are you kidding me? Go and watch the Pens game again, Maltby hussled BIG TIME, and not just on the PK

[YoungGuns1340 1]

If the Wings have bured the hatchet with Colorado, they should look at Laperriere. His MO is to fight, agitate and kill penalties. Hes basically a fresher version of Drake, who came from a rival team as well. Not sure if Colorado wants to trade him thought, even though hes a UFA>

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Simple answer? Because Kopecky has been playing better defensively recently than Draper and Maltby, who play on the PK unit regularly. He's also a MUCH better physical player. Giving him a shot on the PK is a reasonable thought based on that, and if he outperforms Draper and Maltby there, then why not keep him there?

He has been? That's why he was a healthy scratch not long ago? Kopecky was dreadful on the PK, he looks lost, although he does most of the time anyways. Maltby and Draper were built to kill penalties, and if they keep playing like they have been, that wont stop.

As far as PK overall, it's all about desire. They killed Pittsburgh because they wanted the puck more. They blocked shots, hustled to everything. They played like it was the playoffs pretty much. Stevie Yzerman did that every single night, he set the tone. We need someone to do that, if the players play like they did against Pittsburgh, or at least close to it most nights, then there fine.

[Echolalia 2,961]

He has been? That's why he was a healthy scratch not long ago?

Didn't one of the commentators say that he was out because of a hip flexor injury?