Follow me on Twitter
I was wary of this game from the outset. I talked a bit about Calgary finding their confidence and being hungry. Markstrom was beyond solid, and Detroit’s issues with the Flames continue to compound. Thankfully, we only see this team twice.
Nedeljkovic is beginning to see how hard Greiss has had to work for this team (and how hard Bernier worked). He had a much better showing, but got no support for his effort. Greiss more than likely has some mental exercises (or primal scream therapy) to help him adjust.
Summary: the win over Vancouver should have been a warning. Hockey has a way of balancing efforts. Detroit survived on lights out goaltending for 2 straight games. Ned had a better night, but Markstrom was exceptional. Detroit’s 2-1-0 start was full of holes but a win feels good, so you ride it.
Goalies steal games, it happens. The issue, for me, becomes poor decision making on the bench. Line combos that just make things worse. Givani Smith needs to sit out a game very, very soon. He’s not adding to anything, and looks lost on the forecheck. Blashill’s decision to pull Nedeljkovic at the end was almost instantly punished. When you can’t carry the play for 30 seconds at a time, pulling the goalie is a bad decision. The pull isn’t why Detroit lost, but certainly felt like a disconnect.
Even with outshooting Calgary, the Wings never really looked like they had control. Good attempts mixed with poor passing decisions and execution. The team was fighting the puck most of the night. Tkachuk’s sand paper assassin (he irritates you to death) played perfectly in throwing players off of their game. Raymond took a couple rough shots, but to his credit kept coming back.
Games like this happen. Unfortunately, there are 2 very angry teams waiting for Detroit. Montreal and then Chicago. If the team can’t find their scoring early on (and get next level goaltending) the road could prove unfriendly. We’ll see what happens.
First Period:
Ned in net. Hope the guys give him a better look tonight.
At 2:24 Lucic and Smithdrop the gloves. Lucic held back on a potential nasty shot (good sportsmanship). Smith got a few shots in. Grateful that Milan has chilled a bit, really could have caused Smith some trouble if he didn’t hold back.
Shots 4-0 Red Wings at 4:30. Really nice keep in by Seider fooled Flames a bit, Raymond with a nice attempt.
Calgary first shot comes at 5:40.
Tkachuk may have gotten a spear/slash on Raymond. Trying to figure out what happened. It was a slash, Tkachuk very good at knowing where the refs are on ice. You can’t ignore him at all or he’ll make you pay for it.
Calgary struck first (Lindholm), as Detroit was hemmed in with Fabbri nursing an injury from a shot block. Was very concerned about tonight’s game for whatever reason. Wings need to get back into this one. Smith throwing his weight around trying to get things going.
Smith out with Larkin line and Calgary walks in and scores again at 14:33. Wings look slow as Mangiapane seemed to come in effortlessly. Detroit’s early energy is gone, and putting Smith out for more shifts isn’t helping. He looks lost at times on the back check.
Detroit looks like a different team (in the worst possible way), just can’t get going. Calgary came in hungry and energized. Detroit just wasn’t ready to match intensity. Bad starts happen, we’ll see if they can get back into it.
Second Period:
Wings with a really nice opening push, but Markstrom is just lights out.
Wings to the power play. At 2:36. Calgary is just so much more confident and aggressive on the kill than Detroit is with the advantage. 2nd unit off with 43 seconds left, Larkin and co are on. Flames control faceoff and clear the puck. Leddy with a beautiful drive in, but Detroit cannot get a decent scoring chance. Calgary looks like the better team all over the ice right now even with Detroit outshooting flames 17-11.
Wings ice the puck at 5:08, able to get puck out but Calgary marches right back in. Wing just fighting the puck, can’t get ahold of it. Wings get a decent look at 7:28, but can’t convert. Every line looks frustrated. An ugly goal could do a lot to get some confidence back.
Third Period:
Detroit managed to lose out on another power play as Raymond went to the box for a hook to go to 4 on 4. Calgary is sharper and more aggressive. The SOG favor Detroit but the team just looks lost. Fabbri and Bertuzzi with a given go at around 5 min and overpassing leads, in part, to Fabbri losing his handle in front of the net.
Gaudreau nearly netted Calgary’s third at the 6 minute mark, Seider made a solid defensive play to save that one. Lots of poise for a 20 year old. Detroit needs to find some confidence, and stop passing the puck so much. Blashill has the blender going and it is counter productive. No one is where they need to be. Dekeyser with a heavy shot, big rebound but no one there to cash in. Ned has settled in and seems to be holding his own.
Detroit ices the puck at 7:50. Neutral zone is mucked up fairly well per Calgary’s strong coverage and forecheck. The puck just isn’t “cooperating” for the Wings. Passes seem iffy, fairly simply puck handles go awry. Just out of sync and as the game progresses, Calgary looks more and more confident.
Zadina causes a turnover and gets some decent pressure, but Markstrom is more than up to the task. Zadina continues to work and will eventually be rewarded for the effort. Detroit just unable to get any sustained pressure as Calgary gets pucks out and Markstrom handles the biscuit so well.
Wings pull Ned at 17:24. Tkachuk scores empty net after another mishandle on the passing. What a stupid move from Blashill. Just a guaranteed 3rd goal. Tonight is a night when you really wish the coaching was better. Mixing the lines, poor decision making. Zadina is still out there trying to find something for his effort.
Read my previous posts:
Wings vs Flames pregame
Edvinsson logs 25:18
Detroit played their best game of the season against CBJ. 
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»