Error processing SSI fileRed Wings 3, Mighty Ducks 2
Power play still clicking for Wings
Wings defenseman Mathieu Schneider, playing in his 1,000th career game, congratulates Pavel Datsyuk on his first-period power-play goal.Online extras
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DETROIT - The Detroit Lions, no matter how bad they are, always seem to be good on special teams.
In the new NHL, the Detroit Red Wings have realized they have to do the same thing.
Friday, the Wings got three more power-play goals, and that was enough to post a 3-2 victory over the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
"If the league is going to be all about power plays and penalty kills, you have to be good at them," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "The league told us that they were going to call a lot of penalties this year, and that's what they are doing."
Detroit's power play ranks among the best in the league, and it helped them win their fourth straight game against the Ducks.
"We are taking the game to the opposition, and that's forcing them to commit penalties," said Mathieu Schneider, who had an assist in his 1000th career game. "That's what has been working for us so far, and the power play has been very effective."
Detroit had a lot of chances with the man advantage, as the Ducks were called for nine penalties -- including the first seven of the game -- to just four for the Red Wings.
"I don't understand the number of power plays against us," Anaheim head coach Randy Carlyle said. "I guess the Detroit Red Wings get those calls in their building."
Detroit got two of their power-play goals in the first 10 minutes of the game. In both cases, the goal came in the first 30 seconds of the man-advantage.
With Travis Moen in the box for hooking, Jason Woolley intercepted a clearing pass and slid the puck to Pavel Datsyuk. The Russian quickly beat countryman Ilya Bryzgalov for his fourth goal of the year and a 1-0 Detroit lead.
Five minutes later, Keith Carney was whistled for tripping Henrik Zetterberg, and it took Robert Lang just 23 seconds to beat Bryzgalov with a shot through Brendan Shanahan's screen.
"We really had the power play going at the beginning of the night," Babcock said. "We know that if we stick to what we are supposed to be doing, we are capable of a very good performance."
Detroit could have put the game away moments later when Teemu Selanne cut Dan Cleary with a high stick and received a four-minute penalty. But the Ducks killed it off with little trouble, and Selanne pulled them within 2-1 late in the period.
After a scoreless second period that saw Bryzgalov, playing in place of injured Red Wings killer Jean-Sebastian Giguere, keep Anaheim in the game with 13 saves, the Detroit power play struck again early in the third.
With Joe DiPenta in the box, Woolley set up his second goal of the game. This time, his shot from the point was deflected past Bryzgalov by Mikael Samuelsson for his team-leading sixth goal.
"I really didn't have to do anything," Samuelsson said. "Jason made a great shot, the goalie went for it, and I just tipped it in. It was pretty easy."
Woolley thinks the team's 7-1-0 record is mostly due to how well they play when either team has a man in the box.
"Our special teams have been a big part of why we are winning," he said. "That's how the game is played all over the league now."
The Red Wings weren't perfect on special teams, as Ryan Getzlaf beat Manny Legace with a slapshot on a third-period Ducks power play for his first career goal.
That pulled Anaheim within 3-2, but the Wings were able to hold on.
"We just kept our foot on the pedal," Babcock said. "That's the secret. If you stand still, guys are going to be flying past you. You just have to keep attacking and attacking."
Dave Hogg is a free-lance writer.
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