DuckSoup13 0 Report post Posted February 17, 2009 We all know our PK has been down this year. I have it figured out.. (at least I think I do) We are being beat at our own game! Our defense is soft around the crease and teams are taking advantage of that. Our defenders dont do a good job keeping the front of the crease clean and teams basically stick a guy up there to block our goalies vision of the blueliners and it works time and time again. Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall, Stuart..just about everyone minus Cheli doesn't do much to clear the area. Teams use their guys like we do Holmstrom and we dont abuse them for it like they do with poor Homer. I would say a majority of the goalies are coming from slapshots and wristers from the blue line because our goalies cant see the puck. If you haven't noticed, take a look at our next game tom. vs Nashville and you'll see what I mean. Thoughts? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ben_usmc 253 Report post Posted February 17, 2009 (edited) yeah, why do you think people have wanted a bruiser on d for a while; Souray like edit: It doesn't help either that we have so many damn 5 on 3's or that our goalies can't stop a puck. Edited February 17, 2009 by ben_usmc Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted February 17, 2009 Babcock: "For every goal you let in on the powerplay, I'm sitting Datsyuk for five minutes." problem solved. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vladifan 680 Report post Posted February 17, 2009 Babcock: "For every goal you let in on the powerplay, I'm sitting Datsyuk for five minutes." problem solved. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glubki 17 Report post Posted February 17, 2009 (edited) It starts behind the net and ends in the slot. If you let the opposition sit idle behind the net before attacking him the point men can drop down in the slot and either accept the pass or draw a defender towards him leaving the opposite slot open for a cross ice pass. Win the battle along the boards and block shots from the point and you don't have to worry about it. It is a lot easier said than done... Edited for double word usage... Edited February 18, 2009 by Glubki Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Shoreline Report post Posted February 17, 2009 The PK problem has been indicative of the defense problems. Not enough push-back in a physical sense, so since the only guy who has much physical strength is Lilja (no offense Stewie), plus aging vets or mistake-prone youngsters, it means speed and physical players are going to beat the defense. Now, the way the team has been scoring goals, it would seem offense has been a primary focus. The defense this year has certainly taken a dive and it's a big gamble that won't always pay off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ComradeWasabi 109 Report post Posted February 17, 2009 Win the battle along the boards Now THERE's an idea that the Wings haven't managed to grasp yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chunkylover 26 Report post Posted February 17, 2009 Win the battle along the boards and block shots from the point and you don't have to worry about about it. It is a lot easier said than done... What you've just described is a lack of effort. They just aren't working hard enough at it. Offense is all about talent, defense is all about effort. Our statistics this season demonstrate what are our strengths and weaknesses. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carman 387 Report post Posted February 18, 2009 Kopecky doesn't kill enough penalites. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted February 18, 2009 I would say that they rotate too many forwards on the PK to make anyone get used to regular PK duty, but that wasn't exactly a problem last season. Bottom line is that the goalie has to be the best penalty killer, and our goalie has sucked all year. It's no coincidence that the PK is suffering also as a result. Good thing Ozzie can't affect our PP as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ms_Hockey 0 Report post Posted February 18, 2009 (edited) I think it's more than a PK problem. It's a defensive unit problem. You can bet your bottom dollar these other team's coaches showed their team video of the way we play in the defensive zone and worked with it from there. I'm not sure if our ***** in the defensive armor is due to plain ol' not playing up to potential or having other teams begin to recognize our play and find ways around it through observation and practice. Edited February 18, 2009 by Ms_Hockey Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ben_usmc 253 Report post Posted February 18, 2009 maybe we are just playing the good ole rope a dope Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoWings1905 2,694 Report post Posted February 18, 2009 One thing that is really bothering me lately regarding the penalty kill is Babcock using Kopecky and Maltby so much as a tandem. On a team with Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Hossa, Cleary, Filppula, Franzen, Draper and now Helm - there is no reason to have Maltby and Kopecky killing penalties. I understand maybe not wanting to overuse some of the forwards during the regular season with extensive PK time, but this team is so deep with defensive forwards. Just one of Babcock's quirks that I don't quite understand. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
