The Detroit Red Wings embarked on their first road trip feeling good about their start to the season.
Then they went 0-3-1, experiencing many of the issues that led to their horrendous 2019-20 season – defensive breakdowns, lack of scoring, ineffective power play.
They make a quick return home with games against the Florida Panthers Saturday (7 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit) and Sunday (5 p.m., FSD), and there is urgency to bank some points because then they go back on the road for six games.
“We can’t keep letting two points slip away. Every game is important being against our own division,” Dylan Larkin said following Thursday’s 7-3 loss at Dallas.
“We’re on the road for long periods of time and have to find a way to capitalize on points at home. We’re playing against a Florida team that hasn’t played many games. We have to find a way to get points at home.”
Florida is 3-0-1, having had four games postponed due to COVID-19 issues with opponents (Dallas, Carolina).
The Red Wings (2-5-1) were missing five regulars on their trip due to COVID protocol – forwards Robby Fabbri, Filip Zadina, Sam Gagner and Adam Erne and defenseman Jon Merrill. None will be ready this weekend and some likely won’t be available at the start of their trip next week.
Players on the COVID protocol list can’t exercise for a minimum of 14 days. Once they’re cleared, they will need some practice time before returning to the lineup.
“Part of the process is getting them back into shape to they don’t injure themselves, that’s probably the No. 1 priority, they don’t have groin issues or soft-tissue injuries because they haven’t skated at that level,” coach Jeff Blashill said.
“They’ll only be put in when we perceive they’re in game shape. They might not be as practice-ready as we want, but if they’re in game-shape there’s a good chance they’ll be inserted into the lineup.”
Their absences have contributed to the struggles, particularly on offense, where the Red Wings are tied for 29th, averaging 2.00 goals per game, and on the power play (22nd at 14.8 percent).
Fabbri was centering an effective second line with Zadina and Bobby Ryan. Those three, along with Gagner and Merrill, also played on the power play.
The available players must step up their game.
Anthony Mantha has just one goal and three assists, with a league-worst minus-10 rating. Vladislav Namestnikov has only one point (a goal) and Mathias Brome has no points in eight games.
“If there’s somebody else who can do a better job, we have to keep looking,” Blashill said. “We have to find a way. Those guys have to pick their games up or somebody else has to do the job. We’ll have some guys coming back, but it’s not through the weekend.”
Larkin, after Thursday’s game, spoke about a lack of confidence on the power play.
“We have the puck on our stick and we’re nervous to make plays,” he said. “We don’t want it on our stick on the power play, we’re second-guessing everything, we’re not moving around, we’re not hard on it to get the entries we want and set up.
“I think every power-play goal we’ve scored this year we just kept it simple, throwing it to the net. It’s been not the prettiest goal, but it’s in the net. It’s got to find a way to get going. We’re getting power plays, we’re getting chances, they’re big opportunities, and that’s where we got to create momentum for our team.”
Bernier out: Goaltender Jonathan Bernier suffered an upper-body injury in the second period Thursday after a collision with Mantha. Bernier left the game and his status for this weekend is uncertain.
More: Red Wings seeking more offense without sacrificing defense
The Link LonkJanuary 30, 2021 at 05:14AM
https://www.mlive.com/redwings/2021/01/red-wings-return-home-feeling-urgency-with-no-help-on-the-way.html
Red Wings return home feeling urgency, with no help on the way - MLive.com
https://news.google.com/search?q=Red&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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