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Detroit Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg pointed immediately to the culprit that led to the club’s 3-1 loss Wednesday to the Edmonton Oilers.
It was a power play that failed to score in six opportunities, dropping Detroit to two-for-19 (10.5 per cent) on the season.
“The power play has to be better, especially on the road,… Zetterberg said. “When we get power-play opportunities there we have to take advantage of it and we haven’t done that.
“We know what has to be done, what has to be better. We’ve got to keep going at it.…
Detroit coach Jeff Blashill felt they are making progress in terms of power play presence.
“We were able to keep it in the zone for a period of time,… Blashill said. “I thought we did lots of positive things that way, but we didn’t score. It’s unfortunate but if our process stays the same, the results will follow.
“You’ve just got to make sure you focus on the process. It’s easy to get frustrated in results, whether it’s a power play or the game, but we can’t let frustration cloud our mind.…
It was Detroit’s third straight loss after opening the season 3-0 and also the second successive game in which the Wings were limited to one goal.
The Oilers ended an eight-game losing streak against the Wings that extended back to Feb. 4, 2012, a 5-4 shootout loss by Detroit. It was Edmonton’s first regulation-time win over Detroit since Dec. 3, 2009.
Shooting Chance Entering the game with an NHL-low average of 21 shots on goal per game, the Wings aimed 60 shots at the Oilers but just 29 made it to Edmonton goalie Cam Talbot, though 24 of them came over the final two periods, an indication that things are beginning to turn for the Wings in that department.
“I think in the first we had five shots but it felt like we had a lot more,… Zetterberg said. “We felt pretty good after the first period.
“I think we battled harder than the last game (a 4-1 loss at Montreal). I think we won some more battles, we created a little more offense.…
Tatar Tallies Left-winger Tomas Tatar, Detroit’s leading goal scorer last season with 29, dented twine for the first time this season, getting the Wings’ only goal and breathing a sigh of relief when he saw the red light illuminate.
“I'm not going to lie, I was excited to see the puck in the net,… Tatar said. “It's always a relief to get the monkey off your back but I'd rather not score and we win a game."
Tatar is another who thinks the Wings might have turned a corner in Wednesday’s loss.
“I think in the third period we did a really great job but it was too late,… Tatar said. “We just have to figure it out. It's in the locker room, we know we can play good hockey. We just have to put it behind us and play a little better.
“We will talk about it for sure, we will see the video, what we did wrong, refocus and we have the next game (Friday) against Calgary.…
This Will Be The Last Time Wednesday was Detroit’s farewell game at Rexall Place, Edmonton’s only home since joining the NHL in 1979. The Oilers will move into a new facility next season.
“Obviously, there’s a lot of history in the building,… Detroit’s Riley Sheahan said. “It’s kind of similar to the Joe, it’s been around for so long, a lot of atmosphere in it and you can tell there’s a lot of pride in the city towards the Oilers. It’s pretty cool, I guess. I think it’s similar to what we’re going through at the Joe. It’ll be sad to leave it leave but at the same time a new building is always nice.…
“It’s definitely a historic organization. To be in the same building and feel that vibe is pretty cool.…
Blashill is old enough to remember well the five Stanley Cups the Oilers won between 1984-90. The Wings lost the 1987 and 1988 Western Conference finals to Edmonton en route to two of those five Oilers Cup titles.
“What a building,… Blashill said. “I grew up in the era when the Oilers were winning the Cups. Anytime you’re able to walk into special buildings like this it’s neat.
“To know that this is the last year, it’s neat thing for sure.…
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