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Detroit blows 4-0 lead, lose to Sharks 6-5 in OT. Why is Husso the guy? |
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Summary:
There just isn’t a good spin on this. Up 4-0 in the 2nd, giving up 4 in the second (2 short handed), getting the lead back in the 3rd and giving it up with around 1:30 to go. Then, awful decision making leading to a 2 on 0 rush and losing to the 2nd worst team in the league. San Jose didn’t play like their positioning suggests. In fact, it looked like they carried most of the game.
We have gone over this so many times. Chances against and goaltending. Team Defense. But, when the team wins those issues look like you’re just trying to find a problem. Giving up 3 or more goals per game isn’t only a problem if you lose. It’s a sign that this is what could undo the steps forward you’ve made on offense.
LaLonde made the decision to go 4 forwards on the power play. That decision needs to be reconsidered. For whatever reason, Husso is “the guy” and will get chance after chance to let in 3 or more. Yes, Detroit got a point and that’s a good thing. But, going from 4-0 to losing 6-5 is beyond embarrassing. Something needs to change in how the team approaches defense.
San Jose looked faster, stronger and Husso was good for 2/3 of the game. Still, his continued use and status is a bit befuddling. He has a 3.48 GAA and a .893 SV%. Lyon has a 1.61 GAA and a .947 SV%. Whatever it is that I’m missing, I’ve heard from a few of you who are missing it too.
Every game is a must win, right? Of course not. This is one that should have gone in the W column. The team has to shut down these giveaways and easy access to the net. Tonight it burned them. There’s a lot going on and probably some injury issues we’re not aware of. Compher will be missed any time he’s not around, though there’s no guarantee he would have made the play or two needed to hold onto the lead.
Let me know your thoughts. Are you fine letting in 3 as long as you score 4, or does the team need to rethink some of the setup? There are a lot of questions tied to this loss, but the single OT is certainly a welcome consolation prize.
First Period Detroit goals:
No first period Detroit goals
First Period:
Husso in net for Detroit, looks like Kane/JV/Debrincat starting on the ice. Veleno has never had that much pressure in terms of wingers. What a moment for JV.
No shots on net for the first 3 minutes but a good chance for the sharks. Seems like yesterday SJ was a club that brought out a beast of a game between the two. It was a tough match up for a long time. Right now SJ seems more focused and creating much better opportunities. Shots 4-1 with 15:16 left.
Copp with a point black chance about 20 seconds later handled well by Blackwood.
In the early goings, San Jose looks much faster and stronger. The road has been a good place for the club. If I’m calling it straight up, they just look like the better team. 12:20 left, shots 5-2 SJ.
With 7:07 SJ to the power play as Copp took a penalty to try and shut down a really strong opportunity. Wings are a step behind and even with just a few shots the Sharks are carrying the play for the most part. Shots 8-4 SJ.
Early into the power play shots now 11-4 SJ and Husso had to bail his team out. Still 1:33 in the penalty. Ras with a nice tip out of the zone with another one of those small detail plays. Very useful on the pk and makes those small moves that make a difference.
Wings kill it off. Shots 12-4 SJ with 5 minutes left in the period.
Detroit lucky to get out of the period with no goals against. San Jose had a lot more jump for good portions. At least past the halfway point Larkin seems to have taken the middle spot between Kane and Debrincat. Kane had a decent chance but it was a fast play that had him with his back to the net. Tough shot, but still getting to where he needs to be. Hope all feels good. Fast and fun period.
Score: 0-0
Shots: 12-7 SJ
Second Period Detroit goals:
Kostin opens scoring
Rasmussen’s tip in goal
Rasmussen’s 2nd tip in goal 19 seconds later
Raymond’s tally
Second Period:
SJ still leading in shots in the second but at 9:05 Kostin buried a shot after an O zone faceoff saw the puck go right to the net. 1-0 DET. Shots 17-11 SJ.
At 12:51 Detroit added to the lead as Sprong launched as shot from above the lower left faceoff dot and Rasmussen tipped it in. 2-0 DET.
13 seconds later Rasmussen tipped another shot into the net, 3-0 DET and shots are now tied 18-18. SJ has had really good chances just bad bounces.
Then at 13:40 Raymond scores after some nice give and go. The last 3 goals were all within 29 seconds. 4-0 DET.
After the goal, Vlasic heads to the box for unsportsmanlike conduct. Unfortunately Hertl gets a short handed tally as Detroit gave up a 2 on 1. 4-1 DET.
Then SJ scores another shorty. The 4 forward setup is not working. 4-2 DET. Sharks score again after penalty expires. 4-3 DET. The Wings just fell apart giving up 2 shortys on one power play. Not good at all.
Sharks tie it up and completely erase Detroit’s gains with 22.5 seconds left. This feels like a disaster.
Score: 4-4
Shots: 23-22 DET
Third Period Detroit goals:
Larkin regains the lead
Third Period:
Trying to put words to what happened in the 2nd period is an exercise in futility. At this point, I’ll go back and own that I said SJ was outplaying Detroit as the Wings scored 4. Then, Detroit gave up even more opportunities in odd man rushes, and 2 short handed goals on the same power play. That was absolutely humiliating to watch. I’m sure it was a fairly sobering break for Detroit after the second. LaLonde’s decision to put one defenseman on the power play looks to be a poor one. Husso is not the .915-.925 goalie he was at this time last year. I’m sure the team will talk about it, but that’s was tough to watch. Just watching the 3rd tick by and honestly hoping for at least an OT point after being up 4-0. Not a great change in fates.
At 13:20 Larkin restores the lead as he, Fabbri and Raymond have a nice 3 man rush up the ice. The captain saluted the fans after a nice quick snap shot. 5-4 DET
And, of course San Jose ties it up with 1:29 left
Score: 5-5
Shots: 35-31
Overtime:
37 seconds in Larkin and Raymond make awful decisions and leads to a 2 on 0 as San Jose wins
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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