Buffalo Sabres give Red Wings keys to penalty killing success

Detroit Red Wings' Kris Draper (33) tries to get to the puck before Buffalo Sabres’ Marc-Andre Gragnani during the first period of a preseason NHL hockey game on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009 in Detroit (AP Photo/Jerry S. Mendoza)

The Detroit Red Wings opponents on Tuesday night, the Buffalo Sabres, use a pair of young defenseman to quarterback their powerplay, and they have provided clues on how to effectively stop them.

In an article by John Vogl of The Buffalo News printed on Sunday, October 11, the pair detailed the most obvious differences they have noticed in penalty killers at the NHL level, and in doing so provided hints as to what they have had the most difficulty adapting to.

Chris Butler is a second year pro after playing three seasons with the University of Denver and Tyler Myers is in his first season in the NHL after a prolific junior career with the Kelowna Rockets.

And considering the struggles of the Red Wings penalty killing last season (25th, 78.3%) and so far this season (26th, 64.7%) they can use help when provided. Although this season's numbers are skewed due to the small sample size so far, the fact is they have played better than the numbers indicate while shorthanded.

The Sabres powerplay has clicked just three times on 18 opportunities (28th, 11.1%) and has allowed one shorthanded goal against, and represents an opportunity for Detroit to improve their numbers and take advantage of a potential mismatch in personnel.

According to Butler the area he has noticed the greatest difference in NHL level penalty killing is their ability to block shots. “The forwards are a lot better at getting in shot lanes here ... the penalty-killing forwards in the NHL do a real good job of maintaining shot lanes. They’re taking away most of your options."

Shot blocking is an area that the Red Wings have focussed on to improve their penalty killing to date and was a major factor in their victory over Chicago on Thursday night when they held the Blackhawks to just one powerplay goal on five opportunities. Following the game Red Wings coach Mike Babcock stated: "I thought our penalty killing especially on the five-on-three turned the game for us. (Brad) Stuart and (Niklas) Kronwall in particular with all the blocked shots."

Myers, a rangy 6'7" defenseman has noticed an increase in speed over his junior opponents from a year ago. “It’s a lot faster. I think that’s obvious. You just notice that the players pursue you a lot harder if you make a move on them. They’ll stick with you, and they’re right on your back. You’ve got to really try and move the puck quick.”

The Red Wings penalty killers are both quick and tenacious and pressuring Myers may lead to turnovers, which can allow them to clear the zone, or in some cases attack the Sabres and create scoring opportuniities. Pavel Datsyuk is the reigning Selke Award winner as the league's best defensive forward and a master at stealing pucks. He is one the Red Wings primary forwards on the penalty killing units who may disrupt the young Sabres defense, as well as Henrik Zetterberg and Dan Cleary who all average close to 1:30 per game in penalty killing situations.

Valtteri Filppula and Kris Draper have been the Red Wings top forwards on the penalty kill this season, averaging 2:40 and 2:17 of ice time shorthanded respectively, are both quick, and Darren Helm expects to return to the lineup on Tuesday against Buffalo adds further speed and tenacity.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff also provided some clues the Wings could use to further enhance their success against the Sabres.  “It’s knowing your options, especially at this level. It’s understanding what the other team is bringing as penalty killers. It’s that ability to sell something and do something else," said Ruff. “A young guy sometimes gets locked on an option. It’s staring at a guy, and the penalty killers are reading your eyes. It’s that looking one way, passing the other way, just the little subtleties that I think Myers has, that I think Butler has that ability."

I read into that comment that Ruff has had to speak to his young duo about recognizing the traps the other team is setting and not telegraphing their next move, two areas Detroit's veteran forwards should attempt to capitalize on to their advantage.

In their preseason game on September 19th, the Sabres were one-for-three with the man advantage.

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