Fixing the Lousy PK

[Z and D for the C 712]

Just throw Z, Lidstrom and Ericsson out there. Even if it's a 5 on 4. The Wings play better when 2 men down than with just 1.

with 2 goalies.

[Doc Holiday 0]

I know this is my thread (which probably automatically makes you suspect me), but nowhere did this turn into a toughness debate. Mindfly just doesn't think Lidstrom is cutting it, and most people disagree.

You are wrong.

EVERYTHING is a toughness debate on LGW.

[vangvace 12]

You are wrong.

EVERYTHING is a toughness debate on LGW.

It's what the people want. [/VW bug]

The defensive system from a couple years ago needs to return.

[datsyukismyfriend 4]

with 2 goalies.

lol.

i think our four main problems are these:

clearing the slot/crease. opposing players were aloud to stand where they pleased last year.

challenging the point men. we rarely pressured and seemed content to let teams cycle the puck forever.

clearing the damn puck. i'm not sure if it's selective memory, but i don't think i've ever seen so many botched clearing attempts or lazy skates to free pucks needing to be cleared. it was absolutely uncanny.

INTENSITY. bottom line, if the wings fail again this year to meet other teams' intensities, our pk will be lousy. babs needs some way to motivate these fellas.

i also agree with some others that dats and z need more limited roles on the pk. these shouldn't be our go to pk'ers.

and ozzy clearly will have to be better this year.

okay, so that's six points...

Edited September 27, 2009 by datsyukismyfriend

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

I'm not sure Lidstrom is the best option for the PK though, he's not big and doesn't block alot of shots, I would prefer a big body ericsson and lilja would've been perfect and two hardcore forwards who loves to block I think Cleary and Z are good at that

you don't want four guys out there trying to block shots at the same time, or it's too easy for them to get caught out of position.

as for the pk in general, I think it was a lot of things people have mentioned. Ozzy wasn't sharp. lack of discipline and focus among the pk'ers, honestly all season whether shorthanded or even strength, I think it was way too easy for opponents to hang out around the crease. They should have to earn that real estate, and it was often given to them.

[eva unit zero 271]

For a PK unit to be effective you need the following as the basics.

You need forwards who are hard workers and will get in front of a shot when they have to.

You need defensemen who are good positionally and can match up physically with opposing forwards.

On top of that, you would prefer players who are good skaters and good at clearing the puck down the ice. You want players who make smart plays with and without the puck. And you want players who are good defensive players; who are good at stripping pucks, breaking up passes, and preventing scoring opportunities by forcing players to skate or pass other than where they wanted to.

For the Wings, players on the roster who don't fit that overall description:

Holmstrom, Bertuzzi, Leino, Williams, Rafalski, Lebda, Meech

That leaves the following group, including injured players and spares, if we are to select three forward pairs and two defense pairs for PK:

Forwards: Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Franzen, Filppula, Cleary, Draper, Eaves, Abdelkader, Helm, Maltby

Defensemen: Lidstrom, Kronwall, Stuart, Ericsson, Lilja

Helm and Lilja are injured, and Maltby will probably be the spare forward. Abdelkader is probably going to be sent down when Helm returns, if Helm is not sent down instead. This leaves the Wings with a choice between eight forwards for their six PK forwards. Zetterberg and Cleary have had much success in that regard, so that is likely to continue. Draper's only role on this team is as a PK specialist, so he will be there. Filppula's main talent so far is his PK ability, and his other talents are coming in line with that. This leaves a choice between two-time Selke winner Datsyuk, Franzen, Eaves, and Abdelkader. Datsyuk is probably there, Abdelkader is probably not, and there's a decent chance Eaves is in ahead of Franzen. Eaves would be replaced by Helm when Helm returns, assuming Helm stays on the NHL roster.

As far as defensemen, with Lilja injured the four defensemen are already chosen. Lilja would most likely replace Ericsson alongside Nicklas Lidstrom on the PK were he healthy.

Cleary/Zetterberg, Filppula/Datsyuk, Draper/Eaves (Helm)

Lidstrom/Ericsson (Lilja), Kronwall/Stuart

[waitahochiminute 2]

We have a totally different team this year with 4 or 5 new starters, the season has yet to start and we're already worrying about the penalty kill? How can you compare this team to last years team in any way?

[stevkrause 1,247]

I know this is my thread (which probably automatically makes you suspect me), but nowhere did this turn into a toughness debate. Mindfly just doesn't think Lidstrom is cutting it, and most people disagree.

actually, I found neither yours nor mindfly's comments to derail this thread this time, it was the "North American bravery" comment that confused me.... and I also disagree about Lidstrom - he is one of the best PK d-men in the game...

Edited September 28, 2009 by stevkrause

[PierreC 0]

Last year this was our biggest weakness in the regular season and playoffs.

I think they need to use less forward combos, because it's better to have designated PK men, rather than having every damn forward out there killing penalties. I know Babcock does it to keep people fresh, but it also seems to kill the rhythm and flow of the PK.

They need to attack the point men more often. We don't do a good job of blocking shots or of challenging the point, which is where most goals against were scored last year on the PK. Too many screens and deflection goals as a result of poor point coverage. It seems like the Wings like to collapse, instead of expand the box.

Also, the goalie has to be the best penalty killer, and Ozzie sucked at it all year, including the playoffs that he played well in otherwise.

I absolutely agree with your vision. I believe the Wings will do something about it this season, according to Babs and his encounter with Lemaire he might have stolent a few tips from the defensive master himself. We need PK specialists, i dont want to see Z or Dats up there risking an injury.