It could be a simple case of bad luck.
Maybe it’s the old sophomore jinx rearing its ugly head. Or perhaps is more a matter of working hard as opposed to working smartly.
Come to think of it, the struggles of Tomas Tatar, Tomas Jurco and Riley Sheahan in their second full season with the Detroit Red Wings is likely a case of a little bit of each of those symptoms.
Last season, when the Wings were riddled with injuries, left-winger Tatar assumed a regular role, while center Sheahan and right-winger Jurco arrived from Detroit’s American Hockey League farm club in Grand Rapids and provided yeomen’s service as the Wings extended the streak of consecutive appearances in the Stanley Cup playoffs to 23 seasons.
This season, all expected it to be bigger and better, but mostly, it’s been a bust for the trio.
With three goals in his last six games, Tatar is displaying the sort of work anticipated from a guy who netted 19 goals a season ago.
“Tats is getting going and he’s started scoring,… Jurco said. “He had some struggles in the beginning too, and Riley as well.…
Sheahan has scored just once in 15 games, while Jurco has been a healthy scratch the last three games after going without a goal through the first 12 games of the season.
“I’m the only one still left that can’t break it no matter what,… Jurco said. “I guess I have to stay positive and hopefully it’s going to go in.…
Looking to get Jurco in gear, Detroit coach Mike Babcock skated him alongside center Pavel Datsyuk in practice Wednesday, an indication both may be back in the lineup for Friday’s home game against the Chicago Blackhawks. Datsyuk missed Sunday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning with a groin injury.
“Pav just slows the game down so well,… said Detroit winger Justin Abdelkader, frequently Datsyuk’s linemate. “He's just really good with the puck and when you're playing with him, he just makes everyone around him better.…
Abdelkader believes that Datsyuk could be just what the doctor ordered for the struggling Jurco.
“With Jurcs, for him he knows how he needs to play to be successful,… Abdelkader said. “He's a really good skater. He gets up and down the ice real well. He's a proven scorer wherever he's been.
“I know he's struggled to score here, at least at the start. I think as a young kid in this league, it's a tough league and you can have success, but once that success goes and maybe you go through a little rough stretch where maybe pucks aren't going in or you're not getting points like you want to, it's going to be tough on your game.…
Jurco scored eight times in 36 games last season, while Sheahan netted nine goals in 42 games, but Detroit coach Mike Babcock isn’t surprised that it hasn’t come as easily for them in the second season as NHLers.
“You’ve got to earn your goals, they don't just give them to you for free,… Babcock said. “If you get off to a great start you don't have to worry about confidence. When you don't, you have to worry about confidence.
“The other thing about it is when you arrive your first year in the league and everything goes rosy, you just think that's how it's going to be for the next 15 years but the guide and record book shows that's not how it works. You’ve actually got to bring it every day, every year. You’ve got to keep getting better and better and you’ve got to get better as time goes on.
“Tats and Sheahan and Jurco they're all in that process of understanding how difficult the league is and how hard you’ve got to play and that's why they call it a pro. A good pro knows that and does it.
“With kids, when you come back and now you’re in your second year, you think you’re going to play with the puck a little bit more and you’re going to score a little bit more. Usually you know what you do? Less.
“As you get older in your career you’re not chasing the puck. It’s way too much work, so you hang onto it when you get it. As a kid you kind of flip is around and figure you’ll chase it down again. You dig it out of your net too much like that.…
The most experienced of the trio, Tatar doesn’t dispute his coach’s theory.
“When I got here, I was a little shaky as to what was going to happen,… Tatar admitted. “I had to battle to be in the lineup day by day.…
He credits time and personal development with the changes in his game since that uncertain arrival.
“The way I'm playing the game and how more calm I am right now, it comes from a certain time on the board,… Tatar said. “When we're leading I feel way more confident to hold the puck and make some plays, play more simple in certain spots.
“Just the way they say, ‘he's got experience,’ it's exactly what it is. You’re gaining experience by the years playing in the NHL. It's huge for me to still be here learning from those guys.…
Jurco is hopeful that Datsyuk’s savvy and experience will be the spark to ignite his game.
“He's obviously one of the best players in the league - in the world, too,… Jurco said. “Obviously it's great and it's a big opportunity for me to finally break that, maybe score some goals and just break that bad luck and just get going.
“It's going to be good chance for me.…
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