After an 0-for-5 outing against Vancouver, the Red Wings made some slight changes to their power play units that led to two goals against Calgary
After an 0-for-5 outing against Vancouver, the Red Wings made some slight changes to their power play units that led to two goals against Calgary
It had to be Patrick Kane.
After an 0-for-5 power play outing against Vancouver two nights prior, the veteran winger cut to the chase. It had to be better. It needed to convert.
“The power play’s gotta be better,” Kane said Thursday. “Lot of chances tonight. I wasn’t very good on the power play tonight so I take responsibility for that. But (when) you get those chances, you want to create momentum.”
And so Kane flipped the script against Calgary on Saturday. Fifteen minutes into the game and just three seconds into the Red Wings’ first power play, he ripped a one-timer from the right point that beat Jacob Markstrom for the game-winning goal in a 5-0 shutout. When Kane talked of a need to create momentum, he made all that happen against the Flames in a game where the power play improved a game later to 2-for-5.
More than just a big goal, Kane’s score represented a much-needed proof of concept for the Red Wings power play. Detroit’s power play struggles against the Canucks were largely an anomaly in the grand scheme of the season — it has scored 11 goals in 11 games and 33 in the past 37. But the larger issue for the Red Wings was that they couldn’t use their usually reliable advantage to earn a momentum-flipping goal. More so than just a lone tally on the scoreboard, their power play goals give them the opportunity to take more control of the games they play, especially when they can score them early.
That’s effectively what Kane did by beating Markstrom with his one-timer, and the rattling effect created a noticeable ice tilt. A shade over a minute later, center J.T. Compher beat Markstrom again for the 2-0 lead, and the Flames goaltender slapped the puck away with frustration or disgust. Power play goals begat even strength goals. and that didn’t just happen with Kane’s opener. When center Dylan Larkin banked in a 4-on-3 power play goal at the net midway through the second period — off a feed from Kane, no less — winger David Perron followed his captain with a minute and a half later for the goal that gave Markstrom the hook. The Flames pulled their starter, and the Red Wings had all but won the game with a dominant 4-0 lead.
Paired with James Reimer’s 38-save shutout, the power play made the most of its opportunities to turn what could’ve been a loss into a resounding win.
“Patty, obviously a special player. When you get in those situations 4-on-3, 5-on-3, a little ice — he makes plays,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “And he made a nice play to Dylan there, it was huge. And a 2-0 game to 3-0 game, it’s a whole different game. That was big for us.”
Some of this power play success came from tinkering, like frontloading the top unit with Larkin, Kane and winger Alex DeBrincat. Detroit coach Derek Lalonde was able to cash in on that scheme, but he also tried those players out with more balanced units that have become the calling card of the power play in recent weeks. What this signifies most is that Lalonde isn’t afraid to mix things up on the fly, and with two goals off the experiment, why wouldn’t he? In reality, all Detroit really needs from its power play is to convert — it doesn’t really matter who gets the job done. Whether it’s Larkin and Kane, or depth forwards Joe Veleno and Daniel Sprong, the goal horn doesn’t care.
Scoring two power play goals against Calgary was a return to form for Detroit after a snakebitten outing in Vancouver, but now it will try to prevent any other momentary slumps. One of the key determinants in this season has been the reliability of the power play to go get a goal, especially during a January hot streak and an alright February thus far. In Calgary, the power play’s boost, alongside Reimer's goaltending, was a leading force to make this game a win.
“We didn’t have the best start. We were a little bit flat, but the powerplay got us going,” Larkin said. “So special teams and the goaltending and pretty good defensive play was the reason why we were successful today.”
Lalonde agreed.
“Our first period was probably our worst period of the trip, but we come out of it 2-0 because of James and our special teams,” Lalonde said. “And I think we got our footing a little bit. I liked our second and third.”
Maintaining consistency will help Detroit in future games if they get power play opportunities. Scoring on the man advantage can help them bank points in games where they come out flat and struggle. It’s an extra boost that the Red Wings have leaned on thus far this season.
And whether it has to be Kane or Larkin, Veleno or Sprong, Detroit doesn’t care. All that matters is that they’re scoring.
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