The Daily: Bruins Loss Shows Red Wings Have Work to Do; Chychrun Has Setback

The Detroit Red Wings’ 5-1 loss to the Boston Bruins Thursday is a reminder that it is challenging to truly understand where GM Steve Yzerman’s team is at in their rebuild.

On one hand, Yzerman’s offseason acquisitions have made the team more competitive.  Their 3-0-2 start showed they are an improved team. They were competitive with the Bruins for 40 minutes. But in the third period it was also clear the Red Wings still are a long way from being a polished work.

Some reality after the Bruins game: The Red Wings have lost four of their last five games. The Red Wings have given up 11 goals in their last two games. They now rank 25th with a 3.29 goals-against average.

It’s unclear whether injured forward Oskar Sundqvist will be ready for Saturday’s game.

Coach Derek Lalonde said lessons were learned from the Bruins. “Just the consistency, they stay with things,” Lalonde told Bally Sports.”You don’t see the lapses in their game…we had a three-minute period when it got away from us. Back-to-back penalties in the second. We were completely controlling and found ourselves down 2-0, not 1-0. (We need) a little more consistency in our game.

Elsewhere around the NHL, Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun suffered a setback in his injury recovery and is now considered “week-to-week.” Sportsnet reported Arizona GM Bill Armstrong provided the update. That’s important news because the Coyotes are trying to trade Chychrun.

In Case You Missed It

The Red Wings recalled Matt Luff from the Grand Rapids Griffins. He had a team-leading seven points.

DHN writer Bob Duff offers a behind-the-paywall story about the away games that cause the most problems for the Red Wings.

Former Detroit defenseman Ian White is making a comeback in minor leagues.

The Red Wings Next Game

The 3-2-2 Red Wings will be home Saturday night to play the Minnesota Wild

Hockey Now Network

Boston: The Bruins’ cost of beating the Detroit Red Wings Thursday was an upper-body injury suffered by David Krejci. He won’t play Friday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Boston Bruins.

Philadelphia: The Flyers claimed Kieffer Bellows from the New York Islanders off waivers. Bellows is the son of former NHLer Brian Bellows. Philadelphia Flyers.

Pittsburgh: Jake Guentzel practiced Thursday for the first time since his ear was injured by a Kris Letang shot. Pittsburgh Penguins

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San Jose: Logan Couture scored his 300th NHL goal to help the Sharks defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs. San Jose Sharks.

Washington: Will the NHL’s Department of Player Safety look at defenseman Dimitry Orlov’s hit on Dallas forward Mason Marchment? Washington Capitals.