After a five game winning streak, the Detroit Red Wings find themselves in the midst of a three game losing streak, with the latest loss coming against the Colorado Avalanche. Let’s try to extract a few observations
#1: How did Filip Zadina not score a goal? Zadina had seven shots on goal against the Avs, with multiple scoring chances among them. But all the forward had to show for it was an assist. At this point, Zadina’s frustration is palpable; with every missed opportunity, he seems to grip his stick just a bit harder. Again, Zadina played well, but again, he could just not find the back of the net.
#2: Defense is a Major Problem right now. Detroit’s defense has been pretty rough throughout the season, and it’s only gotten worse with a few injuries. Defensive lapses are a plenty, and Friday’s loss was no different.
#3: Speaking of defensive problems, Danny DeKeyser. I don’t want to just pile on DeKeyeser, as I think fans on Twitter have said it enough – but man, DDK has just not been great this season.
#4: Hronek’s continues to improve offensive output. Fil scored his third goal of the season and on a power play against the Avalanche Friday night. Hronek is really taking strides from last years offensive performance – his only two goals last season were empty netters.
#5: Goaltending can’t do it every night. Detroit’s goaltenders hae already stolen a few games this year (namely Alex Nedeljkovic), but Detroit’s defense can’t expect the net minders to catch their mistakes every night. Opponents have scores five or more goals against the Red Wings in three straight games, proving that wins like the one in Boston can’t happen every night.
#6: Vladislav Namestnikov continues to add to his draft stock. Namestnikov has been the most effective bottom-six forward in the roster, and he tacked on another goal against the Avs. It’s his the last year of his contract in Detroit, and the Wings might just ship the Russian forward out to a contending team at the deadline.
#7: The team didn’t lie down and die in the third. Down 6-3 in the third period, the Red Wings tried their best to claw back into the game, but they just couldn’t overcome the deficit. It was nice to see a Wings team not completely give up after a couple of disastrous periods.
#8: But the team is still streaky. Showing some heart at the end of the blowout doesn’t remove the loss from the team’s record. Detroit has been completely hot and cold this season, losing and winning in chunks. It makes sense that the team is so inconsistent, as much of their success is due to the trio of rookies. When they don’t show up, the team doesn’t either.