Four Ways to Improve the Struggling Red Wings Power Play

Special teams in hockey are the most important part to achieving success. 

Usually a stronger penalty kill is desired for those moments where mental mistakes happen, but a lethal power play can keep a penalty kill on the edge. 

It adds a new dimension to a team's offense that can change the outcome of any game. 

This season, the Red Wings have struggled finding consistency on the power play. The first group has been able to generate some goals but the second grouping has been nonexistent.

Part of the blame can be because of the injuries. 

Besides that, there are many ways the Red Wings can better utilize their most effective component of special teams. 

Four simple ways that associate coach Tom Renney can use to scare teams when they go a man down.

Retool the Second Unit

Detroit's biggest problem is its inability to get any production from its second line on the power play. 

The group, which consists of Valtteri Filppula, Todd Bertuzzi and Dan Cleary, has not given any energy to the production that the much-steadier first unit has. 

Cleary has been struggling to find the net and also play a solid game throughout eight games. Filppula (six points) and Bertuzzi (three points) have been much better but need to produce at a better rate. 

Part of the reason for the unit's struggle, however, might lie in the limited options head coach Mike Babcock has at the moment.

Mikael Samuelsson is still nursing a groin injury and would be the right-handed shot on the second power-play unit.

Another critical player, Brendan Smith, will be sidelined three to four weeks with a sprained shoulder (h/t Mlive.com), only adding more injuries to a severely depleted defense corps.

Options here could be to give Ian White some time on defense. Also, the Red Wings could use Tomas Tatar, called up on Sunday, to play on the second unit. Drew Miller could also be a possibility. 

Work Around the Injuries at Defense

Injuries are a common part of sports. They are hard to avoid, but most of the times they can be controlled. 

The Red Wings' problems this season have not only been with the power play but also the rash of injuries. 

As of Monday, the Red Wings had six players who were placed on injured reserve. Three of those injuries, in particular, have been to the defense. 

Luckily the Red Wings will have Ian White for Tuesday's game against the Calgary Flames. Brian Lashoff has played well in his limited action in the NHL.

Jakub Kindl and Kyle Quincey have made far fewer mistakes and have put together a better effort. 

While the defense will still need some work, it is still a group that, when healthy, can provide a lot of energy at even strength and on the power play this season.

Move Valtteri Filppula to the Wing on Second Unit

Last season was Valtteri Filppula's best statistical season in his young career. 

The native of Finland moved to the wing last season and showcased his playmaking ability, while also making a case for a long-term contract extension. 

Filppula is a crafty offensive player who is arguably a vital scoring option.

On the second unit power play Fil can set up in prime scoring lanes on the wing. 

Adding a puck-distributing center to this line will bring an added punch for the second power-play unit. 

That center might need to be from an unlikely option in Darren Helm or maybe move a player like Henrik Zetterberg down to the second unit. 

Create Better Scoring Chances from the Defense

With new associate coach Tom Renney at the helm of the power play, the Wings have been more creative with their scoring options. 

The Red Wings however pass the puck around many times before firing a shot at the net. 

Either these shots carom through traffic and find the back of the net or simply get lost in the defense and get fired down the ice. 

A good way to eliminate this is to try to stretch the ice and force the defenseman to leave the high slot open. 

Detroit's defenders have very good slap shots and can pinpoint them. But they need to have a teammate draw a second defender toward them and the defender sneaks in back door and create better scoring chances. 

Looking at ways to improve chances at the net will only be in the hands of Renney and who he puts on the ice.