Red Wings explain how to break special teams woes

The Detroit Red Wings have been in a funk of late, having dropped three straight games while struggling heavily on special teams. Not only have they been ineffective on their power play, but they've also been unable to keep the puck out of their net while shorthanded, having allowed eight power play goals in the past six games. 

Tonight, their work doesn't get any easier, as they'll be taking on the red hot Winnipeg Jets led by Michigan native goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. Winnipeg has won five straight, but how can Detroit finally break their skid? 

“I think it’s a little stick-to-it and find some more within special teams and a little more five-on-five offense to flip these tight games,” explained head coach Derek Lalonde.

Meanwhile, veteran forward David Perron, a power play specialist, believes the team simply needs to change their approach when attacking in the offensive zone. 

“The one thing five-on-five I’d like to see our team do more is not force those plays to the slot that aren’t there,” Perron said. “Maybe have the confidence, have the patience that by putting it down low and kind of cycling the puck and putting them in their D-zone structure, eventually maybe five seconds, 10 seconds, 20 seconds later, we get a better opportunity than the one you forced the play on.

“I think the other thing it does, if you’re playing against top players, they’re playing in their D-zone, they’re getting tired," he continued. "That’s one more shift that they’re not going the other way on us. Making sure on our breakouts we’re doing the right routes, we’re all connected, again with the right timing."

"I think we had a lot of games early in the year we maybe weren’t scoring but our momentum was definitely there. Usually when you get a power play, someone had a great effort, got hooked or something happened that they created some momentum for the group to have a power play. You’re not going to score all the time, but you have to make sure you don’t take away from that momentum. You can go back five-on-five and keep putting pressure on them.”

Tonight's game will begin at 7:00 PM EST.