Penalty Kill FAIL: Special Teams The Difference In Detroit Loss

Oh, you mean we're supposed to stop the other team from scoring when they have a power play? That's the question they're asking over at SBN's Winging It In Motown this Thursday morning, one night after losing to the Phoenix Coyotes in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

So much for the Phoenix power play being ineffective and the Detroit penalty kill being strong. The Coyotes took a 1-0 series lead in the first playoff game in Phoenix since 2002 with 3 power-play goals.

The Red Wings gave up all three goals to the Coyotes while on the power play and only killed off one of the four penalties. Previously, the Coyotes power play was a weak 14.6% during the regular season but is clicking at 75% in the playoffs--well, the one game played so far. The Detroit PK, which was at about 84%, had a lot of trouble stopping the Coyotes power play unit.