DETROIT -- According to defenseman Nik Kronwall, the Detroit Red Wings' fifth straight home loss can be boiled down to a punchless power play during the second period Saturday.
The Wings had six consecutive minutes of power-play time in the period, including 36 seconds of 5-on-3 play, but failed to register a goal and eventually fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 in overtime.
“That was where we lost the game," Kronwall said. "Maybe, if we get one or two there, it’s a different game. The power play is something we have to get clicking here.
“We have to get the puck to the net more. We have to get in it in there and get some second chances. There’s a little too much one-and-done. We have to sustain (pressure) a little more.”
Detroit’s power play is 1 for 20 in its last five games. Coupled with an anemic offense, the Wings need to play almost flawless hockey to secure a victory.
“Our power play was better tonight than the last game, but it’s something we have to work on,” said Detroit captain Henrik Zetterberg, who notched both of the Wings' goals. “It’s really important to take advantage of that (power-play time) when you get the chances.
"We’ve got to practice it. We’ve got to put more time on it and bear down and score more goals.”
Zetterberg said that the Wings are working hard, but they might not be working smart. They have a tendency to skate, skate and skate when things aren't going their way, which causes them to make poor decisions and be out of position.
“It’s tempting to do that when you’re hunting and trying to chase from behind,” Zetterberg said. “But you have to trust your structure.
"It’s not always having to work harder. It’s other things too, that have to be better.”
Red Wing coach Mike Babcock praised the Lightning for being a fast, relentless team, which caused the Wings to lose their composure and play slower. He also agreed with Zetterberg -- that his team plays hard but not smart hockey at times.
“There was nothing going on (in the third period)," Babcock said. "Neither team could get a shot on goal for like 10 minutes and then bang, suddenly we’re pressing. We were pressing because we were down.
“But when wecame back to tie it 2-2, why would we be giving up opportunities? It made no sense to me.
“We have to be more efficient. We need to get more out of way more guys.”
Detroit will take Sunday off before practicing on Monday, when you can count on an agenda of playing smarter and putting some punch into their power play.
