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Continuing to deal with a failure to launch

January 19, 2017, 8:09 PM ET [15 Comments]
Bob Duff
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Detroit Red Wings compiled an entire calendar year worth of changes into Wednesday’s 6-5 win over the Boston Bruins.
The Wings opted to fall back - down 4-1 to Boston by the end of the first period - but then they decided to spring forward, roaring back to win 6-5 in a shootout, just the second time in 16 games this season that Detroit has won when trailing after two periods.

While the Wings were pleased to be able to rally for a huge victory in their pursuit of an NHL Eastern Conference playoff position, the reality is that it amplified again the symptoms of a problem that’s plagued Detroit all season - the inability to start on time.

Wednesday marked the 26th time in 45 games this season the Wings surrendered the first goal of the night.

Detroit coach Jeff Blashill tried to see both sides of the coin on this issue but ultimately, decided that he didn’t like how it added up.

“When you’re down 4-1 after the first, to come back is not easy in this league,” Blashill said. “I think that says a lot about our guys.

“Now, our first was not good. We’ve got to be much better than that come Friday in Buffalo if we want to win a hockey game. We can’t spot teams those types of periods.

“I think our guys absolutely know that, so we’ll have to come Friday ready to be much better.”

Collectively and individually, the Wings have uttered similar phrases at earlier stages of this season, yet their inability to launch continues to be an ongoing problem.

“We almost have to apologize for the first (period),” Detroit captain Henrik Zetterberg said. “I don’t know what to call that after the two games we had, to come in like that.”

Center Dylan Larkin opted to take the positive approach when analyzing Wednesday’s game.

“We’re finding ways to win,” Larkin said. “That’s what we’re going to have to do. The stretch before the (NHL) All-Star break is important so we can go in and feel good about ourselves and come back and make a hard push and get into the playoffs.”

That being said, to a man the Wings know they have to be better than they were in the first 20 minutes Wednesday, because counting on comebacks is not a good way to go through the season.

“We feel like there’s a lot more than what we’ve proved so far this season,” defenseman Niklas Kronwall said. “But right now, we’ve talked about it enough. It’s time for us to start showing it.

“I thought the games against Pitt and Montreal especially were very good games. I thought last game wasn’t as great but we still came out with two points. That’s the biggest thing.”

Injury Updates
There’s a chance that Kronwall, out the past seven games due to a groin issue, could play Friday at Buffalo.

“I feel good,” Kronwall told reporters after Thursday’s practice. “I had another good skate. We’ll have a chat with the medical team and then go from there.”

It’s almost a certainty that forward Darren Helm, who hasn’t played since Nov. 15 due to a shoulder separation, will be good to go against the Sabres.

“ Darren right now we’re shooting for tomorrow but we’ll have a final determination after the pre-game skate,” Blashill said.

Defenseman Brendan Smith (knee) skated with the team Thursday but is still awhile away from returning to action.

“I’m not much on timelines,” Smith said. As of right now I think we’re thinking after probably the (NHL All-Star) break. We’ll see.

“Today I got to skate with the team for the first time. That was fun. I’ll see if I can keep getting better.”

Goalie Jimmy Howard (knee) has resumed skating on his own but is also a long way away from game action.

Meanwhile, you can add another name to Detroit’s list of walking wounded - forward Steve Ott, who has missed the last two games.

“Steve Ott, he hurt his shoulder in Toronto, played with it in Dallas, and hurt it again there so he’ll be out here for a little bit,” Blashill said. “But he’s able to skate through it.”

“So Helm will come off IR, Ott will go on.”

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