Quote of the day … Wings coach Mike Babcock

DETROIT – Wings coach Mike Babcock on Detroit’s lack of success on power play.

“Obviously it’s not a confidence thing,” Babcock said. “Even the other day at home, not taking anything away from Columbus because they penalty kill real well, we had nothing on the 5 on 4 part. We scored a 5 on 3 goal. So the power play just has to get better.”

Short-term memory

DETROIT — The Wings head back to St. Louis where they were handed a 6-0 setback to begin the season.

“The thing is we haven’t seen that many teams,” Henrik Zetterberg said. “You know, we’re been playing Columbus, St. Louis and Dallas it seems like the whole year. So far St Louis is definitely the best team we’ve seen and I think they have four good lines, they work hard, they play a good system and they’re real tough to play against. So the same way, they’re fun games because you challenge yourself to be good.”

The Blues scored four power play goals and one shorthanded in the opener. Three of their goals came on breakaways.

“It’s going to be a challenge for us,” Zetterberg said. “And if you look back at what happened the last time we were there we weren’t happy with the result and how we played. We want to come out and be a better team and play a good game.

“It’s crucial every night (to stay out of the penalty box),” Zetterberg added. “But if we take penalties, and we will, we’ve got to be better at the PK.”

Quote of the day … Henrik Zetterberg

DETROIT — “We joked before the season, see how many games we will get, 2 ½ this year,” Henrik Zetterberg joked of his short time on a regular forward unit with Pavel Datsyuk. “It was a good run.”

The pair began the season paired together and got broken up midway through Game 3 against the Dallas Stars.

Zetterberg and Datsyuk still play on the first power play unit together.

“We enjoy playing together,” Zetterberg said. “We see each other on the power play.”

Wings’ power play issues same as last season

DETROIT — Starting out cold on the power play isn’t anything new for the Wings.

Last season they failed to score a man-advantage goal in their first 18 chances. This year, they’re 0-for-15 through three games.

“It’s not good,” Henrik Zetterberg said. “We just have to go back to the drawing board and work on it. We’re gripping our sticks a little too hard rather than just relaxing. We’re forcing some plays. It’s one and done all the time. One shot and then we have to go down and get the puck again. It wears us down.”

Heading into the third period Tuesday, Dallas had more shots (four) shorthanded than Detroit had on the power play (one).

“We’re trying to make the tough passes and it hits the stick and the puck goes down again,” Zetterberg said. “We just have to keep it simple. We’re trying to force too much instead of just putting the puck on goal. We need to do more to do less. Power play and PK is what’s going to decide what teams make the postseason.”