Denis Lemieux isn’t the only goalie talking about feeling shame these days. The erstwhile puckstopper for the fictional Charlestown Chiefs in the cult hockey classic Slap Shot has been joined in that pursuit by Detroit Red Wings netminder Jimmy Howard.
“It’s embarrassing what’s been going on here, especially in the first period last night,… Howard said of Detroit’s performance of late and especially in Tuesday’s 4-1 loss to the Arizona Coyotes. “We have to take it upon ourselves now to go out there and play.…
Thus far 0-2-1 with two goals scored three games into a season-long five-game homestand, the Wings close out this home set with games against the Los Angeles Kings (Thursday) and Anaheim Ducks (Saturday) but will Detroit be California dreaming come the conclusion of the weekend, or will this Motown Meltdown continue?
“I think from here on out it’s a response game,… Howard said. “We need the points. We can’t afford to have any more teams jump up in the standings because it’s going to be hard to catch them.…
Tomas Tatar shared Howard’s viewpoints both toward their recent performances, as well as the need to get the ship back on course before the season is sunk for good.
“Obviously it was a little frustrating,… Tatar said of Tuesday’s loss. “We didn’t show up, especially in the first period, when we needed those two points and they played back to back. We knew that. We just weren’t ready to play.
“The first period was really bad and in hockey 40 minutes, 20 minutes is an entirety, it’s just not enough. We have to find a way to generate more offense. Everybody in this locker room needs to score more. Get more pucks in, battle and play simple.…
Tatar believes every player on the team needs to step up and accept responsibility to play a role in their necessary turnaround.
“You don’t want to blame anything else,… Tatar said. “Just look in the mirror and look at yourself and ask if you played your best. I think everyone is squeezing their sticks too hard, everybody’s nervous. We know how to play hockey. We’ve been here before. We did it. We just have to find a way to play good again.…
With the Wings now nine points out of a playoff spot, the sooner that happens the better.
“For sure, we know the clocks are ticking,… Tatar said. “You can’t let anymore games slip away because at the end of the season you’re going to be missing them. We have to get on a stretch. I think are fans deserve better to win in our home building. We just have to get on the horse and do it.…
Marchenko Out Defenseman Alexey Marchenko left Tuesday’s loss with a flare-up of the same shoulder problem that he only came back from on Friday.
“Yeah, same shoulder,… Marchenko said. “It’s not as bad as it was, just a bit sore today so we’ll see tomorrow. Just a little bit sore today but it’s a lot better than it was.…
Marchenko is being listed as day-to-day.
“We’ll see,… Marchenko said. “It’s not going to be long, I hope.…
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