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Game Summary: It’s an ironic time that both in the comments and in the coach’s interview Detroit was heralded for having been bailed out by special teams against low finishing opponents. Tonight, the bad habits all came back to bite them in their first regulation loss.
It started out promising about 3 minutes in as Larkin scored. Then 4 straight New Jersey goals had the team crushed. Passes weren’t connecting, shots were way off (when they could get them). With 1:48 left NJ had 41 shots to Detroit’s 22 and a 6-2 lead. This felt like confirmation for LaLonde as he seemed to be warning the team about their bad habits.
Yes, it’s still good to wait until your 6th game for your first regulation loss. However, maybe the team will have eyes and ears wide open should some of the new paint at LCA begin to peel during a team meeting.
This game reminded me, disturbingly, of my boss’s dog when I used to roof during the summers. (Great money, but I sat on at least 3 nails and was lucky I’d had my tetanus shot). This dog got sprayed point blank by a skunk. After every remedy known to man, the smell finally went away. That is, until it rained. For whatever reason, it smelled as bad as ever. Tonight’s game reminded me of that smell.
It’s still a rebuild. The roster does improve bit by bit each year and yes a couple important players are MIA. I wouldn’t mind a swap on the 3rd line defense (Hagg did have a nice assist on Kubalik’s goal, but that 3rd pair seems brutal at times).
Kubalik is the bright spot right now. Outstanding start to the season. There were so many turnovers, bad passes, missed attempts, etc. I know these nights happen, but this didn’t come out of nowhere. There were already issues that some of you in the comments identified.
Some will say, “burn the tape… on this game and move on. Absolutely not. They need to play the lowlight reel on a loop in the player’s lounge. There is value in being disgusted with your play, as long as you use it to improve. I don’t want anyone doing the Hasek punishment. He made himself sleep in the locker room once after he played a bad game. Wouldn’t allow himself to be comfortable. I do, however, want that commitment to being better than they were tonight.
New Jersey had so many nice plays in tight. They are committed to getting the puck on net. You can see that they came in wanting it more. The lack of consistency for Detroit has been disturbing. I’ve said it before, I don’t really look at the numbers until about 10 games in. The pattern is establishing itself. I wouldn’t be opposed to a “shake up… trade. That sounds extreme, but LaLonde needs this team to get on track.
Injuries and missed practices haven’t helped, but that’s life. I wouldn’t mind seeing a deal for a centerman or defenseman. I have no idea if the team is even looking at that right now. Yzerman never stops working, so who knows.
For sure, it’s not cheap to go to the game. To buy the hats, jerseys, shirts, scarves, or whatever fans want to wear to show their support. If for nothing else, give them some consideration as well. It’s not fun to see someone finally get to a game and it go so poorly. No one wants that. I think there is more maturity in the room, and I’m sure that one or two players are going to get their 2 cents in. We’ll find out on Thursday if it sinks in.
First Period Detroit goals: Larkin strikes again (his 4th), with assists from Kubalik (6th assist)p and Erne at 2:56. Kubalik with a nice pass as Larkin was skating toward the net and scored on an unsettled backhand (knuckle puck-ish?)
Larkin gets us started with his 4th of the year. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/3pv2JuHDMZ
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 25, 2022
2nd Period Detroit goals: No goals in the second
3rd Period Detroit goals: Kubalik continues to look like a big plus for a season that will have its share of downs. In face, before his goal at 8:17, New Jersey scored 4 unanswered including a shorty and a power play goal. Kubalik was parked quietly in front of the net as Hagg got the puck to him (Rasmussen with the 2nd assist). Finally a little life but after an awful watch that saw New Jersey outshooting Detroit 38 to 18.
Nice pass from Hagg as Kubalik pulls the #RedWings within 2. pic.twitter.com/02lqw75kpj
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 26, 2022