The Detroit Red Wings’ season-long offensive concerns were eased a bit during a 10-game stretch in which they averaged 3.2 goals per game and their power play was as dangerous as it has been all year.
But their past scoring issues have suddenly resurfaced. They have been shut out in back-to-back games, and it’s not because of outstanding goaltending.
Juuse Saros was essentially the second back-up goalie in four days Tuesday to blank the Red Wings, making 31 saves in Nashville’s 2-0 victory at Bridgestone Arena.
“We didn’t get to the hard areas enough,” Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin said. “We didn’t make it hard on Saros. We didn’t even get very many dangerous looks on him and make him have to make reactionary saves. Everything was kind of in his chest.”
Darren Helm had Detroit’s two-best scoring chances, including a breakaway in the second period. The Red Wings didn’t generate much on three power plays, including a six-on-four in the final 1:45, after pulling Thomas Greiss for the extra skater.
“I don’t think we’re hard enough to play against, making teams defend,” Larkin said. “I don’t think we’re making it hard on the other team’s goalies the past two nights by getting around the net, making them have to make saves. We have to find ways to dig in and win second and third pucks.
“This team clogs up the neutral zone. We have to find a way to get the puck in the O-zone and make them spend time there and not have a one-and-done and then we have to go back through their five guys.”
Nashville scored the type of goals the Red Wings have sought all season. Mikael Granlund deflected in a shot from Roman Josi on the power play at 13:59 of the first period. Mathieu Olivier cleaned up at 10:41 of the second after his team created some chaos at the net.
The Red Wings’ troubles began before they entered the zone.
“They’re one of the best forechecking teams in the league … and I thought we did a poor job of being quick out of our zone,” Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. “I thought we slowed ourselves down and didn’t get pucks behind them. And then they’re in a 1-3-1 (defensive formation) in the neutral zone and we played too slow, so we had to maneuver through that, and we turned too many pucks over.”
The Red Wings won two of their previous four games against Nashville this season and one of the losses was the result of a goal in the final minute of the third period. They know what it takes to succeed against this team but must execute much better when they meet again Thursday.
“It starts with work ethic, and I’m sure Blash is going to talk about compete level, making it hard for their guys,” Larkin said. “I’m not panicking but we know we have to be better.”
Said Blashill: “A lot of times it comes down to will and who wants it more.”
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The Link LonkMarch 24, 2021 at 05:09PM
https://www.mlive.com/redwings/2021/03/red-wings-making-it-hard-on-themselves-not-opposing-goalies.html
Red Wings making it hard on themselves, not opposing goalies - MLive.com
https://news.google.com/search?q=hard&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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