MLive’s Ansar Khan posted an article which discusses the Red Wings’ soaring power play:
The Red Wings haven’t scored on the power play in nine consecutive games since 2015 (Feb. 26-March 15). They haven’t finished a season ranked as high as second in the league since 2014-15. They are converting at 28.6 percent. Only Winnipeg has been more productive at 32.3 percent.
They’re using the same power-play personnel, and the same assistant coach (Alex Tanguay) remains in charge. So, what’s been the reason for the bump since Todd McLellan took over as head coach?
“It feels confident,” McLellan said. “It’s not the same look, all the time the pieces are interchangeable. It makes it hard to prepare to defend it. Sometimes you get just stationary and then you can anticipate what might be coming.”
Players are rotating to different spots more, using more motion. Their entries have been cleaner, they’re getting more zone time and McLellan has stressed a shot mentality, not only on the power play, but at even strength as well.
Lucas Raymond has become sort of the quarterback from the left flank and leads the team with 22 power-play points (four goals, 18 assists). He’s well on pace to pass last season’s leader in power-play points, Shayne Gostisbehere (29 points), who signed with Carolina.
Continued (paywall)
