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Winnipeg rolls Wings 6-2, Detroit needs to make some changes |
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This game, from a Detroit perspective, felt like a tale of two completely different teams. The Jets came out, well, flying. Their rushes were succinct and Winnipeg looks like a team. They know where to be, and almost look right through the opposition at times during this 9-1 start.
The first and third periods showed the Detroit team that wasn’t ready for puck drop. The second period, after Larkin’s power play goal, showed a team that was starting to win some races for pucks and get some sustained pressure. The start to the third was such a dagger at 10 seconds in as the puck was mishandled in front of the net. It was speculative that the play could have been an icing but regardless Detroit was a mess.
The two power play goals were the closest “systematic” plays possibly of the year. Tic tac goal. The team defense is all over the map. Winnipeg is off to an insane start. A power play at 44% 10 games in feels unheard of. Connor was in beast mode and seemed to be in on everything. Still, there was nothing from the bench that felt like the coaching staff had any way to settle the players down or help get things together.
The Jets looked like a team with set plays and strong positioning in every zone. Detroit continues to lose scoring chances by throwing the puck into a crowded crease, deferring to passes when there’s an option to shoot, and leaving glaring holes in front of the goalie.
There were a couple of saves that were on Lyon to make. Goal #3 saw him get completely pulled out of position by Connor, and a snapshot by Pionk in the third on the power play just wobbled by. This was two different leagues of teams.
Detroit moves to 4-5-1 and have only played one divisional game. There are promising glimpses, but the head coach has failed to give any structure that holds up in the defensive zone which was supposed to be the focus of the summer. Add to that a diluted offense and without a goalie stealing a game the team is in trouble. It felt like the team gave a good 2nd period but still looks lost for far too much of the game. Let me know your thoughts. Can this team find some consistency, was the first 10 game stretch a massive challenge? It feels like LaLonde just does not have an answer for what the team is lacking right now.
1st Period goals:
Just 2:48 in Connor made a beautiful pass on the rush as Vilardi scored. 1-0 WPG
At 4:02 Connor factored in again as his rebound went to Pionk who buried it. 2-0 WPG. Shots 3-0 WPG
With 4:16 left to play Connor gets a goal, and his 3rd point of the night. 3-0 WPG. On 7 shots.
Shots: 8-7 DET
Score: 3-0 WPG
2nd Period goals:
At 8:13 Detroit finally got on the board on a power play with a tic-tac-goal as Seider passed from the puck from the blue line to Raymond on the left side board who quickly found Larkin in the middle as the Captain ripped a shot past Hellebuyck to decrease the deficit to 2. 3-1 WPG
With 2:20 left Detroit got within one on another power play goal. Larkin skated the puck into the o zone, passed to Kane who moved the puck back to Seider who found Raymond at the half wall. Raymond shot and Debrincat tipped the shot in. 3-2 WPG
Shots: 19-15 WPG
Score: 3-2 WPG
3rd Period goals:
Just 10 seconds in the Jets increased their lead to 2 as Detroit had a d zone meltdown. 4-2 WPG
Jets score on the power play, Lyon missed a snap shot by Pionk. 5-2 WPG
Another power play goal from Winnipeg. 6-2 WPG
Shots: 29-21 WPG
Score: 6-2 WPG
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