Red Wings news: Power play remains strong even with key player set to miss 2nd game

The Detroit Red Wings' power play unit is once again off to a strong start. And what's fascinating here is that, even if they are a man down with Lucas Raymond missing time in the season's early going, they still aren't missing a beat.

In Friday's practice, Raymond was again missing and will miss a second straight game, the team confirmed,, but the Red Wings still have a strong pair of units, especially that first one. Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane continue to be the dynamic duo at the flanks, while James van Reimsdyk is exactly who you would want as a netfront presence, Moritz Seider quarterbacks, and Dylan Larkin slots in as the bumper. 

Ideally, you would have Raymond in there, too, but that top unit alone would keep up the Red Wings' trajectory going on the man advantage until Raymond is ready to roll again. And if you want context, the Wings are cruising with a power play percentage of 26.67 overall, good for top-five in the league, while on Wednesday night in the blowout win vs. the Florida Panthers, they went a solid 1 for 3.

Detroit Red Wings power play is deep regardless of how you look at it

As for the second unit, the "next men up" are full of potential, with Marco Kasper, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, and Axel Sandin-Pellikka getting reps with the second unit. Nobody will say much about J.T. Compher and Andrew Copp, but as consolations? Hey, they're not bad, and Compher at least has enjoyed solid offensive output at times.

With a power play unit that deep, it would be tough for even the NHL's best penalty kill units to keep up with them. And remember, Brandsegg-Nygard and Sandin-Pellikka are still adjusting to the NHL. When they inevitably make their strides, this scary power play unit is going to get even more frightening.

It will play to the Red Wings' advantage even more when Raymond is back in the lineup, and it could even change how teams play them. If you're an opponent, you will be more hesitant to commit a penalty in a close game, knowing the Red Wings might make your team pay. 

Opponents will need to find a way to beat the Red Wings at 5-on-5

If you're playing the Wings and you're bold enough to let them draw you into committing a penalty, then you need to make sure you can beat them at 5-on-5. And right now, the Red Wings are vulnerable, with just a 6.7 shooting percentage, which is 1.7 percent lower than the league average. 

Their high-danger chance conversion percentage is also 6.7, and 2.2 percent lower than the rest of the NHL. But still, opponents also can't adjust their game and lack aggression, or adopt the "play not to lose" mentality, or else the Wings will take advantage.

Right now, their best bet is to hope the Wings don't draw them into committing mistakes, and that they can stay out of the penalty box as much as possible. Should they get prone to committing penalties, then they will play right into the Wings' hands.