The first period stats felt very misleading as Detroit headed into the intermission with a 1-0 lead. Carolina had outshot the Wings 10-5 with Mrazek making some big saves, but the Hurricanes continually hemmed the Red Wings in the defensive zone and that hard work came back in a 3 goal 2nd period that Detroit could not overcome.
After Debrincat had nearly restored a 1 goal lead, Carolina went on to score 2 more goals and left the 2nd period with a 3-1 lead. In the 3rd, Mrazek gave Detroit a solid opportunity, and Rasmussen brought the team within 1 scoring his 10th of the season. However, Detroit just could not get the tying goal and after pulling the goalie gave up the final tally to Carolina at 18:45.
Carolina was the better team. Detroit continues to have defensive zone lapses and look to outscore their issues. Though this was a tight contest, far too many plays kept Detroit in their own zone and off of the attack. The team needs every point they can get, and this loss was a tough one.
The 2nd line continues to be a fantastic watch with Kasper’s presence and Debrincat’s current hot streak (along with Kane’s creativity) but the 1st line just looks off balance. Soderblom just isn’t going to generate the energy, speed and offense on the wing that Kasper was able to. It may behoove Detroit to at least look at a callup to see if Lombardi or Danielson can make hay on the wing.
This was always going to be a tough stretch, but the sand is running out. Detroit seems unable to put together the full effort needed against the contending teams, or when they do (Ottawa) are just stonewalled. Though it’s possibly too late, a simplified return to McLellan’s original message may be in order. Spend your time working on defensive zone lapses. The team is falling into the trap that relies on a power play and high volume scoring to carry the day.
Let me know your thoughts, and if there’s anything internally the team can do to get a jolt for the final push.
1st Period goals:
At 1:53 Debrincat opened the scoring. Chiarot kept play alive by shutting down an attempt by CAR to get the puck out of the zone. Debrincat skated the puck to the net and snapped in his 31st of the year. 1-0 DET.
At 2:53 Rasmussen got the Wings back within 1. Ras skated the puck nearly coast to coast and was able to cut in toward the goal. His first shot in tight was stopped but the big forward chipped his rebound over the goalie and in for his 10th of the season. 3-2 CAR
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