The Detroit Red Wings have fallen ill to the same issues that plague them game-in and game-out. Goaltending may have been better than it was as of late, but the second goal was abysmal, absolutely abysmal.
However, the Detroit Red Wings are also not helping out their goaltenders. I’ll admit, I would have liked to see Alex Lyon in the net on Thursday, but Husso was not getting help either. The Carolina Hurricanes second goal should never have been scored due to Husso’s miscue, but it’s been frustrating overall.
A step further, the teams’ overall defense has been a problem. The forwards’ play in the defensive zone seems a bit spastic at times. The defensemen were roaming far too often. It’s the same issues that have plagued the Red Wings consistently.
Something has to give if the Red Wings will try and keep competing. Even if the Red Wings are undermanned, the level of play has to be upped. The play in the defensive zone play is horrendous and has to tighten up. Communicate with each other, stick to a game plan, close gaps, and try to tighten up some passing lanes.
Detroit Red Wings fall victim to the same problems once again.
In the first period, the Red Wings gave up a horrid goal. Michael Rasmussen was the only player in front of the net, leaving the Canes to keep the pressure on while the Red Wings team defense was scattered. Jack Drury was wide open in front, catching a pass and directing it past Ville Husso quickly for the tally.
The Red Wings came back in the second period with a beautiful goal from Michael Rasmussen. He took a penalty early in the period but was able to tie things up. He caught a nice pass from Andrew Copp across the zone, corralled it in the face-off dot, and then fired it on home for the goal.
Rasmussen’s gorgeous wrister was able to beat Kochetkov, tying things up. It was also Rasmussen’s 100th career point. But the tie only lasted until about the 8:00-mark when the Red Wings let a real soft goal in.
Husso went to play a puck, and after the bounce off the boards, he completely misplayed it. Next thing you know, the puck was left out in front of the net, ending up in the back of the Red Wings net, giving the Hurricanes the lead once again.
That goal would leave a sour taste in the Red Wings’ mouth, proving fatal. Husso sealed the Red Wings’ fate as they were unable to score another goal the rest of the way. Sure, the officiating was spotty, but Husso’s mistake proved to be the difference-maker.
On top of that, while the offense did not deliver to bail out Husso, it was a tough game overall. The offense was spastic, struggling to funnel through the middle and struggling to muster up high-danger changes.
Defensively, there were a lot of holes. The lack of communication was certainly not ideal. It was one of those off nights. Could things have gone differently if the Red Wings had been fully staffed? Likely. But they battled with the Hurricanes, who have the makings of a post-season team, even if their record does not reflect it.
An “off” game is an “off” game. But when the Red Wings need all the wins they can get, an “off” game can be problematic.