A little belated…
The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan discussed the Wings’ attempts to stabilize their penalty-kill in his Saturday notebook…
“We have to be better with our details, that was the focus of our meeting,” captain Dylan Larkin said. “We know what we’re doing (but) our details aren’t good enough. We’re letting goals slip, and they’re all different ways. It’s hard to say that we’ve done a decent job with the numbers and where we’re at, but it’s not all doom and gloom with the penalty kill. It’s just mental lapses.”
The emphasis Saturday was correct routes. Coach Derek Lalonde felt that was an issue against the Devils.
“Really frustrating,” Lalonde said. “It (the penalty kill) was the difference in the game (Friday). That structure looks a little bit better but literally every chance we’ve given up has gone in. We gave up three chances (against New Jersey) and all three went in.”
Lalonde was optimistic getting an opportunity to go over details and responsibilities on the unit Saturday will be a help.
“We had an opportunity to rep it, which was important,” Lalonde said. “Three weeks ago we were able to rep in practice and it gave the PK a little spark. Hopefully it will again (Sunday).”
Continued; Kulfan also adds this:
Michael Rasmussen understood the Devils’ Johnathan Kovacevic fighting him Friday in the first period. The challenge was in response to Rasmussen flexing over the Devils’ Jack Hughes after an empty-net goal in the teams’ previous game.
“It’s part of the game, stuff happens, emotions,” Rasmussen said. “It’s a little bit out of character for me, but I handled it. I didn’t care one way or another (if challenged to fight). I’d probably do something like that, any of our guys would do that, if something like that would transpire to Razor (Lucas Raymond) or Larks (Larkin). Respect to their team for handling their top guys like that.”
