Last season’s leading goal scorer for the Detroit Red Wings is still looking for his first goal of the season, five games into the 215-16 NHL campaign.
“Our whole line we didn’t produce much,… said left-winger Tomas Tatar, who has just five shots on goal this season. “The first line, where Z’s (Henrik Zetterberg) playing, they’re playing really good, they’re carrying us.
“Not many other lines … they did something but Hank’s line was really, really good. I hope someone’s going to help them and try to do something and try to do something for our team, too.
“The other lines have got to get a little more involved. Just play more simple. If things don’t go good for you, you have to shoot the puck more, try shooting it from the net-best position just to try to get it going.…
Tatar, who netted a team-leading 29 goals last season, looked to be developing sound chemistry with new center Brad Richards during pre-season play but that hasn’t carried over into the regular season.
“Hopefully this will go away,… Tatar said of his early struggles to find the net. “I think our line played really, really good. Just the bounces and stuff didn’t go the right way.…
Detroit coach Jeff Blashill is equally puzzled as to why Richards and Tatar haven’t clicked since the season got underway.
“For whatever reason they haven’t had the puck enough and they haven’t been able to … and I think they’d both tell you the same thing, they probably haven’t felt like they’ve had the puck enough in the O-zone,… Blashill said. “Then as a result you just don’t get a lot of opportunities. I think they’ve ended up chasing it a little bit.
“So that’s why we made a switch, to see if there’s different chemistry we can find. I think both guys have tried hard but I think for whatever reason it’s been a case where they haven’t had the puck enough to make much happen.…
Looking to help shake Tatar from his doldrums, Blashill shuffled his lines at practice Monday, moving Tatar alongside Riley Sheahan and Gustav Nyquist.
“I have a little experience with Tatar and Nyquist playing together,… Blashill said. “At that time it was Andy (Joakim Andersson at center) in the American League (when Blashill coached Grand Rapids).
“Sheahan has played with both of them as well. As you try to match up lines. Both Tats and Nyquie have good skill, and have good give-and-go ability.
“I think Sheahan also has good skill, but he’s also strong and heavy and he’s a net-front presence and he has some speed as well, so hopefully it’s a good combination.…
Naturally, while he’s pleased by Zetterberg’s nine-point start to the season, Blashill would like to see more balance from his team’s attack.
“I think we need to play better as a group a little bit,… Blashill said. “Z’s line has been productive. When we matched Glennie (Luke Glendening) up against (Tampa Bay’s Tyler) Johnson I thought they did a real good job but we need more out of more lines.
“We’re just trying to find the right combination, the right chemistry, so we’ll go with this and see how it goes.…
Tatar believes it’s up to the group as a whole to get the offense rolling and take some of the scoring pressure off Zetterberg’s line.
“Now, I guess it’s our turn and we will try to produce more,… Tatar said. “It’s a long season, it’s just the start so I’m not really worried about it.…
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