Red Wings Power Play Fizzles in Loss to Penguins

The power play was a big part of the success of the Detroit Red Wings last season. Monday, it was a real cause of the club’s first failure of the NHL preseason.

Falling 5-1 to the Pittsburgh Penguins at Little Caesars Arena, the Red Wings were 1-for-6 with the man advantage. To make matters worse, the power play also surrendered a second-period shorthanded goal to Pittsburgh’s Lars Eller that proved to be the game winner.

Final from Detroit. pic.twitter.com/dbcvbacpXp

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 1, 2024

“I don’t know how many power plays we had, but I felt like we had a lot and obviously we want to produce more,” said Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond. His second-period power-play tally would account for Detroit’s lone goal of the night.

“I think when we got the best chances tonight is from retrieval. It’s not always the prettiest, but retrieve the puck well in a quick attack, and I think that leads to a lot of good stuff.”

Some key elements of the power play were departing during the offseason. They include point man and power play quarterback Shayne Gostisbehere and forward David Perron. He was a dangerous element off the flank with his one timer.

Detroit wound up ninth in the NHL last season on the power play. The Red Wings were clicking at a 23.1% success rate during the 2023-24 season.

Raymond believes even with the departures, the club maintains more than enough weapons to be a dangerous power-play unit.

RAZOR. 🪒

🚨: Raymond
🍎: Larkin, Kane pic.twitter.com/LtyQVv9es8

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 1, 2024

I think we for sure want to take another step. I think we have a lot of skillful players who make good plays and can finish as well. So I think it’s about getting on the same page, moving the puck well and taking the shots and create opportunities from there.

Red Wings Goaltending Struggles

Neither starter Cam Talbot (two goals against on 11 shots, .818 save percentage) or replacement Sebastian Cossa (two goals on 1o shots, .800 save percentage) did much to instill confidence in Detroit’s goaltending during the game.

“I’ve liked Talbot all through camp, but I thought he was sharp,” Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said. “We kind of left him out too dry on the shorty, which was a little disappointing. A learning lesson for us.”

Cossa took over to begin the third period. The first shot aimed in his direction was a goal by Noah Acciari at the 41-second mark of the frame.

“He probably didn’t look as comfortable as he did the other night,” Lalonde said of Cossa. “Even some of his saves, he couldn’t find the puck. And again, that’s why these games are very important for young players.

“Talking before the game, the importance of even the one period he had last year in preseason. And this is his second opportunity here, which is good for him.

“It goes 3-1 on the first shot and you want to see him fight through it. That’s why game situations are important for anyone, especially a young goalie like that.”