After a day off to recharge their batteries, the Detroit Red Wings got back to work at fixing what ails them, including a penalty-killing unit that’s suddenly become a little bit leaky.
The top-ranked penalty killers in the league for much of the season, the Wings have allowed power-play goals in seven consecutive games and have dropped to 12th overall in the NHL (81.9 per cent).
“They’re finding ways to get the pucks in on our penalty kill right now,… Detroit defenseman Jonathan Ericsson said. “We haven’t really changed much since the beginning of the year. We had the bounces with us earlier in the year when no pucks went in.
“Right now, it’s hard. We’re playing the same way, so it’s a little frustrating to see the puck go in every night.…
Goalie Jimmy Howard believes that things have changed of late for Detroit while shorthanded and he can point to the specifics of where it’s been going wrong.
“I think we just need to keep it simple,… Howard said. “We get into a little bit of trouble when we try to start doing each other’s jobs.
“As long as we get to pucks first, make sure we clear the zone and force them up ice, it works. I think that’s why our PK has been so successful for the majority of the season.…
Rectifying what needs to be repaired was the order of business as the Wings practiced Wednesday and the penalty kill was on the agenda.
“We emphasize whatever we’re not doing as good,… Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. “I thought our penalty kill was a little better last game.
“Columbus (Thursday’s opponent) got three last night on the power play, they’re a top-six in the league (on the) power play, so we have to be dialled in tomorrow.
“I just think confidence is a big thing whether it be on the power play or the penalty kill. Right now we’re a little on our heels. We’ve spent too much time in our zone on our penalty kill. Our forecheck and our retrievals are stand (the other team up) at our line before going. Our retrievals haven’t been as good on the PK so we’ve got to fix it.…
Helm, Marchenko, near return Injured forward Darren Helm (oblique) took part in about half of Wednesday’s practice and the Wings are hopeful that he’ll be back in the lineup for Saturday’s game at Philadelphia.
“We saw him today,… Babcock said. “I told him I was calling his name out on the bench but he wasn’t out there last game, so we’d like to see him sooner or later.
“I think he’ll be back here. Not for Columbus but after that.
“We need Helmer back, so I’m hoping that he can get back. We’re a way better team if you put him in and put Glenny (Luke Glendening) in his right spot and then suddenly we have real good lines.…
Defenseman Alexey Marchenko, also out with an oblique issue, took part in the full practice Wednesday and figures he’s a day or so away from being good to go.
“It’s like nothing, just a small spot, but it’s good, I can shoot, I can do slap shots no problem,… Marchenko said. “It was like my first real practice where I was shooting. I can do everything.
“We need one practice more. No reason to rush. We’ll see how it goes, day to day.…
Forward Johan Franzen, out since Jan. 6 with a concussion, continues to do light skating on his own, but is nowhere near a return to full practice.
“I just feel really bad for him,… Ericsson said. “He hasn’t been able to do anything without getting symptoms back.
“It’s good to see him here again. I don’t know that much about his progress. I know he’s been up and down. I know he’s not close to playing right now.
“I’m kind of hoping he’s going to take the rest of the year off just because of how it’s been right now. I’m more concerned about his future than playing hockey right now and getting it worse.
“He has a life after hockey as well, so he has to take care of that.…
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