Jonathan Bernier gave a superb effort and kept the Red Wings within reach of a possible overtime. His 37 saves were enough to garner a “second star…, but not a win. Detroit’s scoring has dried up and there aren’t any easy fixes for this. The team has until Tuesday to tinker and reflect on a four game losing streak.
The positives of this loss start with surprisingly few penalties taken. Edmonton only saw power play action twice and Detroit managed to kill both off. Detroit had one power play and failed to convert. There is a definite sense of a team trying to play a more disciplined game.
It’s odd that a close loss feels somehow better than losing 5-1. In truth, Bernier’s performance saved the game and provided some needed stability. Full marks to Koskinen who also had a superb night in goal.
The difficult part of this next stretch is that the Red Wings need to be better in nearly every category. Special teams, 5 on 5, there really isn’t a statistical “bright spot…. Vancouver is in town on Tuesday, with a trip to Ottawa on Wednesday. I can’t hazard a guess at either at this moment. If Detroit can stay out of the penalty box versus Vancouver, that would be a big step in the right direction. In hockey, scoring solves a lot of problems.
I’m sure there are bumps and bruises that need a few days to heal, but the mental part of the game is my greatest concern. The veterans are few in number. I believe Larkin has it in him to keep going, and now he needs to rally the troops. His passion and drive are what I believe will make him a great captain. I get the feeling he’ll be doing “rounds… on the plane trying to make sure everyone is ok.
Losing is never fun. In pro sports, you add to that the fear of losing your job and it compounds itself. It is deeply personal, and it is very hard to block out the critics with a constant onslaught of media. Changes are inevitable, but not urgent for a team that isn’t expected to be competitive again this year. I can see, more than ever, the wisdom in letting so many young guys report to Grand Rapids. This kind of slump can be hard for rookies to shake off.
There are still good pieces in place. Mantha is still creating opportunities. In fact, I’ve been most impressed with his efforts during this last block of games. He is learning to compete more consistently.
I am curios to see what changes, if any, are implemented during this brief respite. I’m all for allowing line chemistry, but when only one line has much chemistry something has to be done. In my opinion, it would be a good time to give Svechnikov or Rasmussen a call up. Possibly let Hirose sit and observe. Sometimes one night in the press box can do a lot for the mental side of the game. I also wonder if Givanni Smith could add a needed spark. There are certainly some interesting options.
Thank you all so much for reading and commenting this week! Unless there is breaking news, I won’t be posting again until Monday. Please keep the comments coming!
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