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While there’s debate as to whether or not Detroit should keep Berggren in the lineup in the comments, JB is not going to get it done for Detroit. Right now, it seems like the players that get mentioned the most by the broadcast are Compher, Rasmussen and Copp on the PK. Perron has games and Raymond has had some momentum in the new year. However, that leaves some badly needed offense (and defense) not being executed where it is needed most. The shine is off of Lyon right now and the team looks shaken.

Detroit has games in hand against Tampa, but Washington is 3 points behind with 2 games in hand. The current trends may suggest Philly/Washington/Detroit battling for the final wild card spot and not many of us would put Detroit as the strong name in the battle. Larkin’s 2 weeks off along with whatever is going on inside the dressing room (or not going on) has been a catalyst for a team that cannot find success. Again, 3 of the past 5 games were against genuine cup contenders and the Isles certainly pulled together under Patrick Roy, but that Arizona game. A team that should have been desperate didn’t show up.

All bets are off and the Islanders play again tonight. Detroit faces Buffalo on Tuesday. Yzerman’s TDL interview where he seemed fairly non committal to pending UFA players feels a bit more ominous now.

The call to bring up players with less NHL experience who are performing well at other levels is hard not to at least consider. Still, they’re not going to face regular season play. The time and space in the AHL is vastly different than the NHL. In college, even more so. Nearly every prospect or promotion says the same thing. “It’s faster, less time and space, and more physical”.

Whatever Detroit needs, now they have to rely on other team performing poorly to help them. The Wings no longer control their fate, and that is a disappointing place to be for sure. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

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