Penalty Kill Killing Red Wings Again

Once again, the penalty kill is absolutely killing the Detroit Red Wings. Giving up two power-play goals in two chances during Saturday’s 6-3 road loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, the Wings are now showing an NHL-worst 69% success rate at killing off penalties.

It’s a number that could prove historic. For one, it would be the worst penalty kill percentage in franchise history since the NHL began tracking special teams data in 1977-78. It’s also on pace to be the third-worst penalty-killing performance in the annals of the league.

The Los Angeles Kings hold down the two worst PK performances in NHL history. In 1979-80, the Kings were 68.2% on the PK. And in 1982-83, they were 68.8%.

Red Wings coach Todd McLellan doesn’t pull punches when discussing the team’s PK unit.

“Our penalty kill wasn’t very good obviously,” McLellan said after the Vegas loss. “It’s still giving up way too much.

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“We see as we play these top-end teams that the mistakes end up in your net a lot quicker than maybe it does against other teams.”

When asked about the continuing struggles while shorthanded, captain Dylan Larkin seems flummoxed by it all.

“I can’t pinpoint . . . I mean, seems like it goes in all different ways,” Larkin said. “When Todd and Yawns (assistant coach Trent Yawney) came in, we changed the system. This is probably the most frustrating all season long that we can’t get the big kill at the right time.”

No Difference In Red Wings PK Performance Since Coaching Change

McLellan and Yawney were responsible for switching up Detroit’s PK systems after McLellan was replacing Derek Lalonde as Red Wings coach in late December. They recently tweaked their system again.

“It’s the third time that the systems had changed throughout the season,” McLellan said. “And maybe that’s a little confusing for the players. But we’re in position (Saturday). But we had zero pressure points, which we should have and we’re aware of it.

“And that just means players are unsure and we need work on it. Confidence, work, players, coaching. It all comes into play.”

Clearly, the patchwork attempts at a fix simply aren’t holding. In 34 games under Lalonde, the Red Wings were ranked 31st in the NHL on the penalty kill at 68.8%. They’ve now played 35 games for McLellan. During that stretch, the PK is 30th in the league at 69.7%.

Perhaps the best news for the Red Wings is that they don’t take many penalties. Detroit has only been shorthanded 158 times. That’s tied for the third-fewest in the league. Detroit’s average shorthanded time per game is 3:34. That total is the second-least in the league.

Imagine how ugly Detroit’s PK percentage might be if the team was as undisciplined at even strength as the Wings are while shorthanded?