The Red Wings’ penalty-kill remains a work in progress, but Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff reports–in a subscriber-only article–that the Wings are taking fewer penalties under coach Todd McLellan:
The Red Wings are 17-5-2 under McLellan. Detroit and the Dallas Stars each have accumulated an NHL-best 36 points over that span. Dallas, it’s worth noting, has played one more game than Detroit.
Entering Thursday’s big showdown against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Little Caesars Arena, the Red Wings are 9-1-1 over the past 11 games.
There are plenty of factors playing a role in this impressive turnaround. At the top of that list is the fact that the club is embracing the notion of playing a smarter game.
Under McLellan, Detroit is the NHL’s least penalized club. The Red Wings have also been shorthanded the fewest times of any NHL team since McLellan assumed his position behind the Detroit bench.
“I think we skate well,” was McLellan’s initial explanation for his team’s disciplined approach to the game. “You’re gonna go, ‘what does that mean?’ I think we have the ability to skate and keep our legs underneath us, so we’re not reaching and pulling a lot. That’s got to be part of our identity. A good skating team, fairly disciplined.”
Continued (paywall)
