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Summary: Regardless of how bad (and it’s bad) the defensive structure is, when the goalie lets in 6 goals on 31 shots that’s just a disaster. We saw what we’ve seen lately. Really good looks from Kane, shots from Debrincat, a coast to coast from Sprong was new and welcome. Regardless, when the season winds down if Detroit is outside of the playoffs, it’s a game like this that the team will look back at.
The past stretch went from an awful trip to Sweden, really good games upon returning and then the bottom just fell out. Injuries have goalies on the carousel but LaLonde was still using Husso regardless of how bad his numbers were. Now, Reimer will make a really good save (stopped some big breakaways) but the team isn’t supporting him and he’s not a “one man show… goalie.
It’s not going to do any good to yell or get upset. It’s not like anyone is blissfully unaware that things are headed in the wrong direction. However, LaLonde and Yzerman need to have a sit down. If blogger input was taken into consideration, put Lidstrom behind the bench as an assistant to the defense.
Beyond that, the team just looks miles away from the jump they had after the trip to Sweden. It’s going to take a 3,4 or 5 game streak to get them going and that sooner rather than later.
Detroit loves this team. If I’m out and about I see the old English “D… of the Tigers or a Winged Wheel. The desire is there, scoring has been added. What is the issue defensively? Did Detroit just do a poor job in relying on Husso? Is Lyon’s injury putting Reimer in a place that he’s not able to handle? There just isn’t an easy answer.
Full disclosure, unless Detroit decides to “sell… at the deadline, it’s difficult to see moves being made. Yzerman can do something overnight and spin everything around. Regardless, in just the second season, LaLonde doesn’t seem to be able to round up the troops. He’s not the coach that can call a game changing time out and made the adjustment. It would be nice to see that assertive strength that can pull a team together.
Final thought. Was giving up Hronek a bigger deal than the office thought? He and Seider were a nice 1-2 on the right side. Did the team take a step back when Hronek left town? Let me know your thoughts. It’s the greatest game in the world, and Detroit has had some great rides in my lifetime. The rebuild is painful and does have hiccups. The excitement of the added offense may just have shifted focus. The post season may be slipping away, but the long game will see changes during the off season. January is a month that makes a lot of decisions for teams. Unless a switch is “flipped…, this may be a February of collecting assets or picks. Please give me your input. You are the life blood of Hockeybuzz and I know how exciting it is to see someone take the time to leave some feedback. Thank you all for the crazy ride that the first half of the season has been!
Detroit First Period goals: Kane at 6:32 1-1
Boom.
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 28, 2023
Showtime. pic.twitter.com/LZHGosi8RG
Score: 1-1 Shots: 9-8 DET
Detroit Red Wings Second Period goals: No Red Wings goals in the second
Score: 2-1 MN Shots: 21-18 MN
Third Period Detroit goals Debrincat scored on the power play at 2:43 from his usual spot near the lower left faceoff dot. 2-2
The Cat buries his 16th. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/fstwMsbnBx
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 28, 2023
At the 8 minute mark Sprong went coast to coast and scored on a wrist shot to bring Detroit back within 2. 5-3 MN
Sprong pulls the #RedWings within 2. pic.twitter.com/bNfiBRjd5N
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 28, 2023
Score: 6-3 MN Shots: 31-28 MN