Detroit — Alex Nedeljkovic’s season has in some ways mirrored the Red Wings’ season.
For the first half, Nedeljkovic looked much like the Calder Trophy (rookie of the year) finalist he was in Carolina last season, and was among the big reasons the Red Wings hung around the playoff wild-card chase.
But it’s been a much different post-All Star break stretch for Nedeljkovic, who has struggled with consistency the way his teammates have, not to mention duplicating the level of performance Nedeljkovic showed the first half.
Nedeljkovic comes into Wednesday’s game against the New York Rangers (TNT/97.1 The Ticket, 7:30 p.m.) with a 17-20-7 record, with a 3.26 goals-against average and .901 save percentage.
Nedeljkovic struggled in Sunday’s 11-2 loss in Pittsburgh, just 24 hours after being a key reason the Wings were able to get a point in a 2-1 overtime loss against Tampa.
That pretty much typified this last month, or two.
But when talking about Nedeljkovic, coach Jeff Blashill was quick to include the entire roster, and coaching staff, when talking about the Wings’ slide.
“I’d start by saying it’s all of our faults, so it’s not one any particular person or position or players or coaches,” Blashill said. “It’s all of us. That’s the reality. We have to face it as a group.”
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For Nedeljkovic to regain his form from earlier, the entire lineup has to pull together.
“Our improvement has to come with all of us,” Blashill said. “The defense isn’t as good if forwards don’t track as well. The goalies aren’t going to be as good if we’re giving up back door opportunities or big time chances. The players aren’t going to be as good if coaches don’t have them prepared, and coaches aren’t going to be as good if the players don’t play as well.
“We’re in this thing together. We have to grind it out together, and we have to find a way to be a better hockey team together. That includes our goaltenders, on out.”
Nedeljkovic has struggled to gain consistency lately, but Blashill pointed the troubles the Wings have had defensively as a team and the need to help the goaltending.
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“When we’ve gotten scored as much as we’ve gotten scored on, it’s hard to say we’ve gained consistency because we haven’t yet, and I say we because team defense and good goaltending go hand in hand,” Blashill said. “They’re practically interchangeable.
“Ultimately, my focus as a coach is I know Ned worked hard today and Ned will come back (Wednesday) with a mindset to play good hockey and as a coach, what I have to do is put our team in a position to play really good defense so that he can then thrive in net.”
Stabilizing forces
You do wonder if Sunday’s debacle could have been helped somewhat if veteran defensemen Marc Staal and Danny DeKeyser, both of whom are injured, would have been available to play.
Instead it was a primarily an inexperienced defense group that buckled, just as the rest of the lineup buckled, as the Penguins’ pressure increased.
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“Having those kind of stabilizing forces back there help from a playing standpoint,” Blashill said. “From being calm and working through those moments, certainly that helps.
“Probably the biggest thing, just your mindset as a person, and making sure you’re ready to battle through the mental strain you’re going to face and understanding there will be hard time and battling through it.”
Both Staal and DeKeyser practiced Tuesday, and Blashill said one, or both, could be available to face the Rangers.
Ice chips
The Wings will recall a minor league goaltender to back up Nedeljkovic against the Rangers. Thomas Greiss practiced Tuesday but isn’t yet available for game action, and Calvin Pickard is recovering after being injured in Pittsburgh.
…Goals against, a real high number of them allowed, has been a Wings’ issue and Blashill has addressed it.
“You have to keep the puck out of your net, have to give up less chances,” Blashill said. “It’s something we’ve talked about a lot this season, something we have to get better at. Goals against not only go on the board, but are demoralizing, so we have to do a better job of keeping those off.
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“We have to commit ourselves to playing winning, or playoff type of hockey, which means you don’t cheat or hope for offense at all. You earn it through your checking.”
…Blashill had high praise for former Grand Rapids Griffin Jeff Hoggan, the longest-tenured Griffins’ captain, and the captain of the 2013 Calder Cup champion team that Blashill coached.
“It’s a great honor and somebody that deserves it,” Blashill said. “We invited him on a pro try-out and not only did he make the team, but he became our captain and led us through a real good regular season and into a magical run to a championship. His impact is still felt today (on the Griffins).”
Rangers at Red Wings
►Faceoff: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Little Caesars Arena.
►TV/radio: TNT/97.1
►Outlook: The Rangers (42-19-5) are in a tight battle for playoff seeding and played Tuesday in Pittsburgh…LW Artemi Panarin (58 assists), D Adam Fox (54 assists), LW Chris Kreider (44 goals) and G Igor Shesterkin (2.11 GAA, .936 SVS) are having outstanding seasons.
ted.kulfan@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @tkulfan