Red Wings Wrap: The Fizzling, Failing Penalty Kill

The Detroit Red Wings had one shot on goal following the first period. It harkened back to the nightmare experience against Los Angeles back on January 8th when they were outshot 27-2 in the first period. In spite of a more controlled defensive effort, the Red Wings sacrificed their offense and were just outplayed by Calgary in nearly every facet. The game was reminiscent of the brutal 2019-20 season where the Red Wings were often chasing other teams around the ice. To no one’s surprise, Detroit dropped the contest 3-0.

On one hand, they weren’t blown out. But on the other, their scoring chances were few and far between. Playing without Robby Fabbri and Tyler Bertuzzi certainly don’t help matters, but it’s incredible to see the talent gap Detroit has once they’re a couple players down.

Head coach Jeff Blashill didn’t use that as an excuse even as the Red Wings lost their fifth straight.

“Guys gotta play better,” Blashill said during the postgame. “There’s no other way to put it. Our top guys gotta play better but our other guys gotta play better. There’s opportunity there.”

Saturday night, it seemed no one could seize that opportunity. It’s off to Edmonton against their former boss who is certainly experiencing problems of his own.

Hot Wings

Thomas Greiss: The netminder certainly struggled in his previous appearances but had a great game Saturday night in spite of the final score. Without any goal support, and turning 40 of 43 shots away good for a .930 save percentage.

Cold Wings

Red Wings penalty kill: This was a point of improvement earlier in the season but it’s been a point of pain more recently.  Then games previous to Iyer’s tweet (Jan 17th – Feb 12), the Red Wings PK was 21/28 for a 75% clip. This just goes to show how tough the last ten game stretch as been for Detroit (2-7-1).

Including tonight, the Wings PK has killed 38.1% of penalties (8/21) in the past 10 games

— Prashanth Iyer (@iyer_prashanth) March 13, 2022

Red Wings Stories You May Have Missed

• Luke Witkowski was called up on Saturday morning and Bob Duff goes down memory lane, writing about the time Witkowski rang up a ten-game suspension against Calgary. WItkowski would appear in the Red Wings 3-0 loss, his first game with Detroit in over two years.
• Kevin Allen writes that Marc Staal becomes the third of the Staal brothers to record 1000 games played. Jordan thinks it might be something in the hometown Thunder Bay’s water. If they could bottle it and send it my way, I’ll make sure my kids take a few swigs.

National Hockey Now

Pittsburgh: Kasperi Kapanen watched the Pens 5-2 win from the press box after two points in 17 games. Might a break help, or is there more to it?

Philadelphia: Things just keep getting worse for the Flyers. Another loss adds to a miserable road winless streak in over a half century.

New York: To trade or keep Semyon Varlamov? As value rises, so too might the plan to keep him on the island.

Colorado: The injury bug sinks its teeth into both Gabriel Landenskog and Samuel Girard.

Vegas: If you’re a half glass empty fan, here’s why you should be down on the Golden Knights. Glass half full? Here’s why you shouldn’t lose hope.