| Detroit Free Press
Dylan Larkin explains why he thinks Detroit Red Wings look better
Dylan Larkin speaks after the Red Wings’ 3-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Feb. 5, 2021.
Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press
The Detroit Red Wings emerged from their second test against the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning with a modicum of dignity intact.
It speaks to how low the Wings (2-8-2) have fallen that a 3-1 loss infuses confidence, but that is where the team is at as the winless skid hits eight.
“We showed ups and competed,” Wings captain Dylan Larkin said Friday in Amalie Arena in Tampa. ”I wouldn’t be surprised if they are over there thinking about how we battled against them.
“I am proud of our guys. I am proud of our guys after the way we showed up after a tough night to open the series.”
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Wings coach Jeff Blashill noted “it was still not the way we wanted, but it was a much better.”
The Wings welcomed their fifth player from back from testing positive with COVID-19. Filip Zadina set up the first goal, and helped the Wings’ offense look more like it projected when the season began.
The Wings lost Zadina and four other players to COVID-19 protocol less than one week into the season. That altered their hopes of getting off to a good start, with 20% of the lineup missing.
They continue their Florida excursion with games Sunday and Tuesday vs. the Panthers, who swept the Wings at Little Caesars Arena last weekend, 3-2 (OT) and 3-2.
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames. Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter. Her book, The Big 50: The Detroit Red Wings is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Triumph Books. Personalized copies available via her e-mail.