The Red Wings Power Play

[titanium2 867]

Just wanted to check on the Red Wings power play numbers and get some thoughts. It's kind of hard to ask questions and not sound like a Complainy Pants but here goes.

To this day (12/18/10):

9th in the league in PP% at 21.3%

7th in PP goals scored

10th in opportunities

Both the Wings PP and PK are within the top ten. So, overall, for the Red Wings standards, not great, not necessarily good or bad, but rather decent, I'd say. But even "decent" to me is somewhat surprising because the power play just hasn't looked very good at all. It seems like they're really struggling to maintain any kind of pressure.

On one hand, a small part me is glad that for the most part they are not relying on their power play to bail them out of games.

On the other hand, you always want the team to be good at everything whether it's ES, PP, PK, etc. So what's the deal with their PP? Too many guys trying to be playmakers? Not being dominant enough on the puck? Not working hard enough?

[Guest mjtm77]

Pick up sheldon souray

[Konnan511 1,736]

You'd always like to be at a 1 out of 4 on the PP instead of 1 out of 5 on the PP. We have three above average pointmen, it wouldn't shock me at all if we had another above average pintman that we would be top 5 in the league on the PP. I like our PK a lot, so no complaints there.

We need two different looks on the PP. We're too one dimensional on the PP and after one or two it's easy for the opponents to see what we are attempting to do. If Ericsson learned that Weber/Souray killer instinct from the point, he'd make and excellent clap-bomber from the point (100+ MPH shot) and would give us two distinctly different looks on our two PP groups.

[rick zombo 3,739]

You'd always like to be at a 1 out of 4 on the PP instead of 1 out of 5 on the PP. We have three above average pointmen, it wouldn't shock me at all if we had another above average pintman that we would be top 5 in the league on the PP. I like our PK a lot, so no complaints there.

We need two different looks on the PP. We're too one dimensional on the PP and after one or two it's easy for the opponents to see what we are attempting to do. If Ericsson learned that Weber/Souray killer instinct from the point, he'd make and excellent clap-bomber from the point (100+ MPH shot) and would give us two distinctly different looks on our two PP groups.

That's one hell of a way to describe Lidstrom.

[dragonballgtz 273]

I think the biggest thing is getting pucks to the net quicker. What I mean by that is that we are trying to get rebounds off these bombs from the points which are mostly being blocked or deflected. I would like to see us use wrist shoots more often and aim for the goalies pads instead of his chest.

Another thing I see are soft floating slow passes that get picked off and what is funny about that it is usually guys like Datsyuk that do it. Passes should be crisp, accurate, and just enough zip on them so the defenders cannot reach it with a stretched out stick.

At the beginning of the year Mo really got on my nerves with his floating on the point of the PP and he still does it. When the puck gets cleared I notice he usually just looks at the bench and signals for his replacement to go chase it. I get really pissed when I see him do that.

You can usually tell when the team is frustrated with the PP, that's when they start to shoot it in then not chase it down.

Edited November 29, 2010 by dragonballgtz

[Konnan511 1,736]

That's one hell of a way to describe Lidstrom.

It wasn't a slight to him. He, Rafalski, and Kronwall are all above average. They aren't average or below average.

Good to see you got the point of my post, though.

Edited November 29, 2010 by Konnan511

[titanium2 867]

I think the biggest thing is getting pucks to the net quicker. What I mean by that is that we are trying to get rebounds off these bombs from the points which are mostly being blocked or deflected. I would like to see us use wrist shoots more often and aim for the goalies pads instead of his chest.

Another thing I see are soft floating slow passes that get picked off and what is funny about that it is usually guys like Datsyuk that do it. Passes should be crisp, accurate, and just enough zip on them so the defenders cannot reach it with a stretched out stick.

At the beginning of the year Mo really got on my nerves with his floating on the point of the PP and he still does it. When the puck gets cleared I notice he usually just looks at the bench and signals for his replacement to go chase it. I get really pissed when I see him do that.

You can usually tell when the team is frustrated with the PP, that's when they start to shoot it in then not chase it down.

Nice observations.

When Pav and Z aren't clicking on the PP of all things then to me I'm not so sure it's matter of lineup changes. The overall mentality just has to change a little. I know they pride themselves on playing with poise and calmness but I'd like to see just a little more edge from everyone except Filppula.

Speaking of Filppula, I really hope Babs keeps him on there. At the very least, with him on a PP unit, you'll have someone providing some motion. It seems like he's so used to being defensive minded that he has too much edge when playing offensively, which is why the puck seems to bounce off his stick or why he fans on shots or shoots too quickly. We need to see him have consistent PP time so that maybe he'll develop a little more poise with the puck, which will allow him to make passes and take shots with confidence.

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

I think Pav and Z did better on the PP when they were split up. I liked thed the dats/Homer/Franzen line.

[puckbags 863]

You'd always like to be at a 1 out of 4 on the PP instead of 1 out of 5 on the PP. We have three above average pointmen, it wouldn't shock me at all if we had another above average pintman that we would be top 5 in the league on the PP. I like our PK a lot, so no complaints there.

We need two different looks on the PP. We're too one dimensional on the PP and after one or two it's easy for the opponents to see what we are attempting to do. If Ericsson learned that Weber/Souray killer instinct from the point, he'd make and excellent clap-bomber from the point (100+ MPH shot) and would give us two distinctly different looks on our two PP groups.

I laughed at this. What an awesome typo. Sounds like an awesome job being the pintman. Sit on the bench and slug back pints while the rest of the boys do all the dirty work ! :beerbuddy:

[Konnan511 1,736]

I laughed at this. What an awesome typo. Sounds like an awesome job being the pintman. Sit on the bench and slug back pints while the rest of the boys do all the dirty work ! :beerbuddy:

Haha. Damn wireless keyboard!

[titanium2 867]

Despite having a strong and balanced scoring attack and leading the NHL in goals per game, the power play is one area the Detroit Red Wings are focused on improving.

The Red Wings ranked 10th in the league on the power play before Monday’s 5-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.

“When things aren’t going your way you got to go to the basics, taking more shots and having screens,’’ Nicklas Lidstrom said. “That’s something we have to look at and try to do a better job at.

“When we really needed one (Monday), the power play didn’t step up and get that goal for us.’’

It wasn’t from a lack of shooting. Detroit had 11 shots on its three power plays. Trailing 1-0, the Red Wings had two power plays almost consecutively midway through the second period.

“That’s where the power play’s got to click,’’ Lidstrom said.

They had some excellent chances, particularly on rebounds. Jonathan Quick’s biggest save was robbing Tomas Holmstrom by stretching out and laying his stick on the ice.

“I’m going to watch it all tomorrow and figure it all out just like I always do and see if there was anything that we can do (better),’’ Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. “I don’t like the fact that you got beat, and in your own building. I thought we played with good tempo. I thought the changes we made on our lines were good. I thought (Jiri) Hudler was good. I don’t have a whole bunch to complain about.’’

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2010/12/red_wings_high-powered_offense.html

[VM1138 1,921]

They have been getting too cute lately. Go back to basics and drive the net again.

[sleepwalker 512]

They have been getting too cute lately. Go back to basics and drive the net again.

This.

They try to get too cute or try to make one too many passes. They need to just get it at the net and get rebounds.

[McAwesome 754]

I agree that they need a new look on the 2 power-play units, and if Babcock is going to split up Datsyuk and Zetterberg for the man advantage, I would like to see him go with the following units:

Franzen-Zetterberg-Bertuzzi/Cleary

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Filppula-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Kronwall-Stuart/Ericsson

Franzen and Zetterberg have shown on many occasions, especially the playoffs, to have great chemistry, and whether Bertuzzi or Cleary plays the other wing they have done well. If you have to move Filppula to the wing, he seems to play better on Datsyuk's wing, going back to late in the '08 season.

Ericsson deserves a shot at playing the PP, he has been playing 100% better than last season and he has a cannon from the point. I know he often struggles getting the shot off quickly, especially when pressured, but on the PP there is typically less pressure on the points.

Finally, get Hudler off the point, either put him on a wing or don't put him on the PP at all.

[Guest Stolberg]

if we take hudler off the point, who else will pummel the goalie's leg pads with pucks?

[robb himself 143]

I would personally like to see Zetterberg back with Franzen and Cleary on the PP. I remember those three having a lot of chemistry last season at one point.

How about

Franzen, Zetterberg, Cleary

Lidstrom, Rafalski

Bertuzzi, Datsyuk, Holmstrom

Kronwall, Ericsson

[titanium2 867]

I like the idea of Zetterberg and Franzen together on the PP. Maybe resurrect the 08-09 2nd PP unit of Hudler-Zetterberg-Franzen.

Bertuzzi-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Hudler-Zetterberg-Franzen

Kronwall-?

It's just that logically speaking it only makes sense to put your best goal scoring winger (Franzen) with your best playmaker (Datsyuk) and your best net front presence (Holmstrom).

Yet at the same time, other than last night's game against LA, they haven't really sustained any significant pressure. So something has to change.

[atodaso 279]

filppula needs to come off the pp.

i'm starting to think it's against his religion to shoot the puck.

[Konnan511 1,736]

Hudler is a great passer, he should play on the half boards of one of the PPs

[HankthaTank 1,100]

Hudler has sucked at most things this year. Get him off the PP and on to sharpening skates.

I know I know...whatever though, he is one of the #1 violators of cutesy hockey. It is insulting. Played a decent game last night but GREAT! in a 5-0 effort.

[Guest Stolberg]

Hudler is a great passer, he should play on the half boards of one of the PPs

maybe he can use his great passing skills to pass kindl the nachos in the press box

[titanium2 867]

Babs, Haha!

“I don’t know if he was first star, I’m just telling you who I would have picked,” Babcock said. “To me, that’s unacceptable for your team to let the other goalie be first star. So as great as they’re allowed to be, back ‘em in the net, be hard on them, get enough second and third chances and play. You can look like the Globetrotters on the outside, but the game is won on the inside.”

Read more: Mike Babcock: Red Wings too easy on visiting goalies | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20101215/SPORTS05/101215016/Mike-Babcock-Red-Wings-too-easy-on-visiting-goalies#ixzz18DTfUWrq

And Babs isn't naming any names... FILPPULA!

“He has to shoot more and get on the inside more,” coach Mike Babcock said. “That’s what he’s got to do -- you’ve got to compete, you’ve got to get on the inside, that’s what goal scorers do. The guys that don’t score are on the outside all the time.”

Read more: Mike Babcock wants Valtteri Filppula to shoot more as Red Wings host Kings | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20101213/SPORTS05/101213011/Mike-Babcock-wants-Valtteri-Filppula-to-shoot-more-as-Red-Wings-host-Kings#ixzz18DUMZVfP

[Echolalia 2,961]

Hudler is a great passer, he should play on the half boards of one of the PPs

I agree, and if I recall correctly, an insane amount of his points were scored on the power play back when he was with us last.

[dragonballgtz 273]

Babs should put one of our 4th liners out on the PP with their sole role being taking the puck to the net hard. You are outside the slot hash marks...take it in further aim for the goalie pads and get ready for a rebound.

I agree, and if I recall correctly, an insane amount of his points were scored on the power play back when he was with us last.

6 of 23 goals came on the PP, 22 of 34 helpers came on the PP.. so 49% of his point production came from the PP. If he is not getting it done on the PP he does not justify being part of this team with his current cap hit.

Edited December 15, 2010 by dragonballgtz

[brett 1,029]

i dont like that they split up dats and z on the PP even if its for the better.

franzen and dats arent getting it done, so maybe put frazen with zetterberg and bert with dats. if i recall last year dats and bert started clicking pretty good.

I dont like flip on the PP

bert dats homer huds kronner

franzen zetta cleary lids raffi