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Detroit was embarassed by Nashville. The Preds scored 9 goals in 2 games, Detroit scored once. The reality of a tear down seemed to have inspired Nashville to come alive, and Columbus is going to offer more of the same.
We’re 30 games in. During a “normal season” this is when slow starters start to come alive, fast starters start to drift off. Instead, we’re just weeks away from the trade deadline. Teams have to decide early if they will buy, sell, or hold. Canada has cut their COVID protocol in half (7 days) in order to help facilitate trades and movements. Some players wake up every day waiting to hear if they have a new team.
Columbus has a lot of internal pride. They get dumped on, regardless of how they play. High ticket free agents opt for “greener” pastures. This season, even the captain has found himself in trade rumors. A swap for Laine saw the tension that exists when a coach will bench any player if he feels it’s necessary. The Jackets won’t make excuses, and they don’t want to hear them.
Detroit, on the other hand, finds itself with another hungry opponent who believes that they could potentially grab a playoff spot from Chicago. Nashville and Columbus are both playing for their jobs right now. The Red Wings seem to be circling the drain, with the reality of having only 1 top line and a mishmash of depth players and players ready to retire.
More frustrating that than, if the season ended today, Detroit could pick as low as 5th (assuming the lottery wins still evade the Red Wings). Buffalo, loaded with expensive contracts and a number one overall defensive prospect (plus a number 2 overall center) has fallen off the rails. Five years ago, Eichel was the center that would change the franchise. This is the point at which they were going to be competing in the post season. Now, they’re looking at a re - reset.
What’s the point? Detroit will benefit long term if the season continues to go this route. Losing 3, 4 even 10 in a row. Anaheim is in the rebuild too, and Ottawa could derail again. As painful as this season is (again), it will be more painful to see Detroit picking at 5, 6 or 7. There’s just no easy way to get a top pick, and even if you do you have to build the organization correctly in order to avoid a Buffalonian disaster.
Gergeswillems and others have stated it well. We want to see the effort. Get out there, show the improvement, and stay in the games. We’re not seeing it (again) right now. Bertuzzi probably won’t be back this season. Whatever the injury, it’s not healing correctly. It’s hard to believe how much his absence impacted the team, but it is reality. Larkin has to stare into the cameras after every loss and take the lumps. I admire him for doing it, but it’s going to wear on a person.
For today, I’d like to see another one goal game (3-2, 4-3 etc). Detroit and CBJ have a lot of those. Give us an indication that things are going to get better after an absolute debacle in Nashville.
Let me know where you’re at. We will be subjected to this iteration of the team about two dozen more times this season. It’s mercifully winding down, and the hope of a young impact player is on the line.
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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