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Summary - I was ripped a bit for being angry at Detroit’s start against Columbus a few games ago. Tonight was almost a carbon copy. The Wings had 6 shots going into the second, and it took almost 30 minutes of play (half the game) for them to get going.
Ned held the team in as well as he could. The team was missing Larkin, Fabbri, Rasmussen and Erne. The blue line and goal were basically in tact. No one looking for a job had an outstanding performance. If this team continues to start like this on the road, it’s going to be disastrous.
Who’s job is it to get the guys ready? Are they out of smelling salt at the bench? Bertuzzi is playing just his 2nd or 3rd game since January and he looks it. He’s got a long way to go. Oesterle was falling all over the ice in the 2nd. The whole team looked like they were in slow motion. The team had most of what is supposed to be the roster, and they just couldn’t get going.
If I had to pick one, I’d still put Raymond on the opening night roster. Veleno and Ryan both had some decent shifts, but someone needed to be the fire plug and wake the team up. Maybe they all ate bad potato salad at lunch. That was as sloppy a start and deserving a loss as the team can get. Ned has seen the downgrade very clearly tonight.
Yes, it’s still preseason. The game doesn’t really count. Buffalo acted like it mattered. They were in it from the beginning and outshot Detroit 38-19. This game should be a wake up call at some point. If Detroit starts like this against Tampa, it will be 4 or 5-0 after one. I can’t think of a word other than embarrassing.
In my
Detroit vs Buffalo pregame post I ran down the roster. Blashill hasn’t quite finished trimming, and this game may well end up being the final audition for a couple of players. Unfortunately, I had a lot of trouble tuning in today.
My stream didn’t start working until Detroit put Buffalo on the power play somewhere around 11 minutes in. I thought my internet might have kidney stones because the stream was broken/jittery and it was painful to watch. I think everything is coming together though.
At 14:28, Mittlestadt nearly cashed in on a 2 on 1. The game looks and feels a bit slow, but that may be internet related. Okposo had a nice drive to the net at 15:20. Right now it looks like it’s all Sabres. Wings unable to set up for any good looks. Buffalo with another chance after a Wings giveaway behind their own net at 16:20. Very sluggish look reminds me of the start in Columbus the other night. Luckily it’s still 0-0. Wings being outshot 16-6 with 2 minutes left. Nedeljkovic holding the line. Even the Buffalo announcers having a good jab at Detroit’s lack of zone time. You know that’s not a good sign. The clock runs out, hopefully Detroit can put in a better effort after some Gatorade. (Maybe an espresso or 2)
2nd Period:
Wings were hemmed in early. Okposo came in, stole the puck and Detroit just looks like they can’t get going at all. Another 3 minutes in and Detroit still hasn’t gotten into this one. Shots are 21-6 Buffalo. Ned Freezes the pucks around the 5 minutes mark. Detroit still doesn’t have a shot this period. Just a minute later Tage Thompson opens the scoring on the 24th Buffalo shot. Detroit, still at 6, is nowhere to be found. Buffalo looks like they’re playing against the Walleye right now.
At 7:30 Detroit finally started getting some chances. 8 minutes in Detroit gets Anderson to freeze for a faceoff. This performance so far should be an embarrassment to the team. If anyone really wants a job, they’re not showing it (except for Ned). Zadina tried to make something happen at around 9:20, pass split the defenders and went out, but Ryan/Suter/Zadina are at least getting some looks.
Shots are 26 to 9 10:40 in. Took almost half a game (again) for Detroit to start attempting some solid looks. At the 11 minute mark, Gagner rips a wrist shot after a nice pass by Stephens in the corner. It took almost 30 minutes for this team to start really playing, that will be death most nights. The past 2 road games have been nearly identical in effort out the gate.
Gagner Goal:
Wings buzzing again around 14:30. Doesn’t turn into anything, Sabres skate puck down and shoot it out of play. Better play by Detroit pays off as Wings head to the power play at 18:30. Faceoff loss sends the puck all the way down and kills about 20 seconds. Wings moving the puck but can’t get a good look. Terrible puck handling by Ned turns into a short handed goal by Girgensons. Seider just learned a tough lesson about communication as he would get an assist if he qualified. A lot of that happened because of Hronek passing instead of shooting on the rush earlier. Wings decision making is awful more often than not in terms of passing.
Third Period:
The Wings were unable to convert on the remaining power play time early in the third. A decent zone entry with multiple drop passes resulted in a low shot by Leddy at 3:30. Resulting faceoff after puck went out of play went all the way down and Buffalo created multiple opportunities. Okposo looks the best I’ve seen him in a while. Wings just look completely outmanned shift after shift. Passes to empty ice continue to result in a turnover. Hirose with a bad pass to nowhere. Veleno skated the puck down but the line was unable to create a shot off the effort.
Staal making some plays but looks slow. Oesterle having a terrible time skating today. Not sure he’s got a bad blade, but just stumbling and having issues. Staal just mugged by Thompson (legally) as he coughs up the puck. Detroit looks like they’re just waiting for this game to end.
Detroit pulled the goalie at the end and payed for it. This was a total farce of a game.
Check out my previous blogs:
I posted some final thoughts on Veleno
Detroit beat Pittsburgh 4-2
Bertuzzi made his preseason debut against Pittsburgh.
Columbus beat Detroit 4-2
Wings vs Blue Jackets pregame
Hurrican Raymond
Detroit lost an exciting preseason game to Chicago.
Detroit vs Chicago pregame
Detroit lost to Pittsburgh 5-1
Wings vs Jackets post game
Wings and Blue Jacktes pregame
Wings beat Buffalo 6-2
Vrana to miss most of the season.
Wings vs Chicago pregame
”Twas the night before Red Wings 
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