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Live sports bring unpredictability. That’s part of the appeal. A team can have an off night. Unfortunately, issues that have continued to plague the team burned them. The new power play look didn’t help ( a few games of 4 forwards and 1 D) but “the race to 4… feels like a very real issue that isn’t getting the attention of the coaching staff. Husso needs a reset, and Lyon seems to have played well enough to have earned some more starts (opinion). The good news is that Detroit is scoring more goals. The bad news is that the team is not locked in defensively.
Here are the scores for the past several games: San Jose - OT loss 6-5 Buffalo - 5-3 win Montreal - 5-4 OT win Chicago - 5-1 win NYR - 3-2 loss MN - 4-1 win BOS - 5-2 win NJD - 4-0 win
In 4 of 8 games Detroit allowed 3 or more goals. In 28 games, the team has let in 3 or more 14 times. It’s a blessing to be ahead in the standings, and a lot of fun to watch the team. So, what is the solution? This is my personal favorite iteration of the team since the official tear down and rebuild. Walman isn’t 100%, and it doesn’t feel like the D core is consistent. Still, the goalie needs to make saves and unless there’s some big offer on the table for Lyon, keeping him out doesn’t make sense.
The acquisition of Kane changed expectations. Detroit is a team that, internally, wants to see the post season. It will take a full team effort to help with goaltending and better decision making in terms of passing lanes and gap control. The “go to… goalie isn’t looking great but is also left hanging out to dry.
Let me know your thoughts on potential solutions. Simplify? Man on man vs. zone coverage? More perimeter play in the O zone instead of higher risk passes at the crease? Some of you are and have been coaches. If this was your challenge, what adjustments to strategy would you make? No, this isn’t a call to get rid of anyone. Just a search for a system that can benefit the team as a whole. Thanks for stopping by!