DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings spent a large chunk of their practice time between playoff rounds working on the penalty kill.

It was about the only negative that emerged from their first-round sweep of the Phoenix Coyotes.

Detroit’s penalty killing, which ranked 17th in the NHL at 82.3 percent during the regular season, was even less effective in the first round, when the Red Wings killed only 12-of-18 opportunities (66.7 percent) against a below-average Phoenix power play. Six of the Coyotes’ 10 goals came during the man advantage.

"I didn’t like what we did and felt we didn’t have the same kind of puck pressure that we’ve had when we’ve been real good," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "We’ve worked a lot on it the last few days. We’re going to be ready to go and we’re going to be very aggressive."

The Red Wings don’t like to sit back in a box while killing penalties. They prefer to apply pressure to the puck-carrier, particularly at the points.

"Bottom line is, we have to be more tenacious on the puck, blocking shots. If we get the opportunity to get that puck 200 feet, we have to do that," forward Kris Draper said. "Couple times we had the puck on our sticks and didn’t get it all the way down. We’re a determined group, and guys realize that it’s going to be big part if we’re moving forward."

Defenseman Niklas Kronwall said their structure was good, but they were experiencing small breakdowns.

"We need to win faceoffs and just clear the puck every time we get a chance," Kronwall said. "You just have to bear down and make sure the other team doesn’t get that momentum going. Phoenix got a few goals and they were just rolling. We couldn’t figure out how to stop it."

No longer having Nicklas Lidstrom on the penalty kill hurts, but Babcock said it’s better for the team’s best defenseman to conserve energy for even strength and the power play.

After averaging 2 minutes, 40 seconds per game on the penalty kill during the regular season, Lidstrom averaged only 19 seconds of PK time per game in the first round. He was not on the ice for any of the Coyotes’ power-play goals.

"We weren’t good enough in front of our own net," Lidstrom said. "They were taking shots and were there for the rebounds and getting those kind of goals. We can’t get spread out as a group of four. That’s when they find the openings."

The best way to improve on the PK is to limit penalties. That is a bigger challenge in the playoffs because referees have been instructed to crack down on sticking infractions and obstruction.

"We know we got away with having a bad PK the first round," center Darren Helm said. "It’s something we need to be a lot better at if we want to move past the second round."

Zetterberg comfortable with brace

Henrik Zetterberg doesn’t believe wearing a brace on his sprained left knee will be an issue when he makes his playoff debut at the start of the next round.

"You get used to it," Zetterberg said. "I think half the league is playing with braces now. It just takes a few practices and then you’re into it.

"Right now, I’m back doing everything full-out and there are still no setbacks."

Zetterberg, who led the team with 80 points during the season, has more goals (46) and points (91) in the playoffs than any Red Wing since 2002-03.

"He’s a real good, high-end player who gives us more depth," Babcock said. "As it goes on here, you need more depth to win. He plays better at playoff time, scores better at playoff time than he does during the regular season. He competes at a high level and that’s why it’s important to have him back."

Franzen said he'll be ready

Forward Johan Franzen was back on the ice Tuesday, testing out his sore left ankle during the first 10 minutes of practice before leaving.

Franzen sat out Game 4 against Phoenix and hasn’t practiced since his injury in Game 2, but said he expects to play in the next game.

"It’s my anticipation that he’ll be ready," Babcock said. "Now, I’ve been wrong before, but the Mule’s going to play."

Franzen hurt his ankle on the check from Shane Doan that also caused him to hit his head on the boards, opening a large cut on his forehead.

"It’s not hurting, that’s for sure," Franzen said. "Skated a little bit yesterday, a little today. Hopefully go a little harder tomorrow."

Defenseman Ruslan Salei did not practice Tuesday because of a minor injury, but Babcock said he will play in Game 1.

Osgood will continue to sit out

Goaltender Chris Osgood has been practicing for several weeks and thinks he would be able to play if needed, but Babcock said the veteran will continue to be their No. 3 goalie while Joey MacDonald dresses as Jimmy Howard’s back up.

Osgood hasn’t appeared in a game since Jan. 4, a week before having surgery for a sports hernia.

"Not (dressing) at this point, just because he hasn’t played in any games," Babcock said. "I don’t know what we can do about that. There’s no schedule to get him in. We’ll continue to talk with Jimmy (goaltending coach Bedard) and Kenny (general manager Holland) and make those decisions as we go along."