The Power Play needs to Spark the Detroit Red Wings
For some time in the Motor City, the Detroit Red Wings PP has needed a tune-up. One to two shots on goal per-power play is simply not good enough, and it is taking wins off the table. Dan Bylsma must continue to search for answers.
It seems the Detroit Red Wings have patched up the power play towards the end of October. It has gone south once again, and the teams’ success is taking a beating because of it.
Recently, the Detroit power play goals have been very hard to come by as they are not getting shots from the front of the net. In the last eight games, the Red Wings are 1 for 19, or not good.
From a fans point of view, the Detroit Red Wings need to work as a five-player group or unit to create more scoring opportunities. It almost looks like players are doing their own thing, trying to drive the net alone often going one and done. One chance and the puck is cleared by the opposition, and the Wings are faced with hitting the “reset” button once again.
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Detroit needs to get the puck out of the zone quicker and look for shots up top. It seems they can not get a rebound from shots as well. It is a total mess.
They were 0-4 on the power play in Washington, and it killed any chance for a win and two points. The “keep grinding” slogan is wearing thin. Players must take control, or players need to be taken off the power play.
It is not like the Wings were going to have a great power play, but good or even okay is better than what has shown up recently. Coaches need to identify players who will sit in front of the net and wait for the puck. All too often players are shoved out of the way, or just are not willing to post up and wait for an opportunity.
More grit and determination is needed. The knee-jerk reaction is for fans to scream out who should be out there. That is not how it works. The Red Wings need to find out who wants to be out there.
Sometimes it seems as if the players going through the motion or looking clueless and it is not the way to operate at the NHL level. Here is hoping that is going to be the focus going forward. Jeff Blashill needs to find players on this younger team who will lead the charge going forward.
Dylan Larkin should be on the ice as much as possible as he is well skilled in both passing and shooting. The lack of execution is crippling at times. Another thing to watch is after a shot the Wings need to transition back better. It is time the Red Wings end this powerless play and come up with a new formula.