The Detroit Red Wings have one more game to feel better about themselves before embarking on a week-long trip to Sweden.
On Saturday, the Columbus Blue Jackets will visit Little Caesars Arena; if the Wings score first, it will be their first goal in eight games. All of this chasing has taken its toll on the Wings (7-5-2), who have only five points in their last seven games.
“It’s on us, and we know in the room we have what it takes to be good,” captain Dylan Larkin said following the 3-2 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday. “Our fourth line has been our best line over the last week, and they’re playing simple, getting pucks behind, forechecking hard, and attacking the net.” It’s something we must all strive for, and we must all play accordingly.
“It wasn’t all bad.” We fought back, but that was the game we really wanted. We only got one point, but it’s not enough.”
NET PROFIT?Here are the reasons why the Detroit Red Wings are “going to re-evaluate the entire goalie big picture.”
Coach Derek Lalonde was unhappy with the lack of a penalty call on Jordan Harris after he pushed Austin Czarnik into the boards late in the third period.
“I’m concerned about the safety of Austin Czarnik,” Lalonde said. “With five minutes remaining, he gets barreled into the boards — the classic hip push — and he’s out for the rest of the game.” He could have fractured his leg. Brandon (Blandina) decides against calling. I’m disappointed because Harris could have seriously harmed him. “I’m glad he’ll be fine, but I was disappointed.”
Late in the second period, Michael Rasmussen’s shot deflected in off Christian Fischer to tie the game at one. Their line with Klim Kostin has scored three goals in the last two games by playing simple, hard, drive-to-the-net hockey.
“Their goal got us back in the game,” said Lalonde. “It was just a classic forecheck goal with Fischer in the blue paint.” He’s just standing in the rough spot. Congratulations to them. They’ve helped us out.”
The power play, which was scoreless through four opportunities, failed to provide any lift once more. The Wings went 0-for-6 against the New York Rangers on Tuesday and have now gone 0-for-7 in their last seven games.
“I thought tonight we were more ready,” Larkin said. “We were terrible in the Rangers game.” But we had our chances tonight; we just didn’t put the puck in the net or threaten enough.
“It’s infuriating. There are a lot of moving parts, but we’ve had success and teams are watching, so we need to find new ways to generate grade-A looks on the power play.”
Since winning five of their first six games in October, the Wings are 2-4-1.
“It looked like we just came out with a ton of confidence the first six games,” veteran defenseman Ben Chiarot said. “Everything was going in the net for us, and everyone was happy.” Then we lose that sensation.
“When you have confidence, everything feels easy; when you lose it, you start thinking about how to regain it and what you’re doing out there instead of just playing.” So I think we just need to regain some of that swagger and we’ll be fine.”
