Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings Stock Index: Hot, Cold and Mild Wings
The Detroit Red Wings, once riding a four-game winning streak, are now mired in a three-game losing streak. It’s not nearly as awful as when Detroit would stagger into a losing streak in years past.
They’ve been close. And yet, some of the strengths during the high points have either cooled off or plateaued. Some continue to pace the Red Wings.
Filip Hronek is one such example, and it’s ridiculous to think his scoring streak would continue at such an insane pace. He still has two points in his last three games, both assists against Buffalo.
But some aspects of the Red Wings that had been so strong during the winning streak, have been quieter. Conversely, some are still finding success in the midst of a losing streak.
Here’s some hot and cold Wings–including a power play that has been ice cold.
Cold Wings – The Power Play
They finally broke through against Vegas with a goal in three tries, but their 0 for 7 chance against Buffalo, including a 5-on-3 late underscored just how close–and far away–Detroit was from having an effective attack on the mad advantage. Against Toronto, Detroit was able to capitalize on three attempts. During the losing streak, the Red Wings have been 1 for 11 at a dismal 9.1% clip.
When they beat Arizona in a shootout last Friday, Detroit was at a 50% clip. The Buffalo game really stands out, when the Red Wings roared back from a three goal deficit and had man advantage opportunities to capitalize on.
Will last night’s goal get things moving again?
Hot Wings – Oskar Sundqvist
Two goals against Buffalo and another one against Vegas has Sundqvist on a Hronek like scoring streak. The gritty forward has a knack to get the greasy goal and the power play goal he registered on Saturday night was an example of that. Sundqvist was knocked on his rear as he was net front and picked himself up, corraling a pass from Dominik Kubalik. The first attempt didn’t go, but it did end up back on Sundqvist’s stick. He hammered it a second time and had this third goal in two games.
Bally Sports’ Ken Daniels and Mickey Redmond both remarked about his three goal streak following a haircut. Whatever it was, the timely goals have propelled Detroit in different ways.
Will it keep up?
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Mild Wings – Dylan Larkin and Dominik Kubalik
They’re one and two in points on the team, but neither have scored a goal in over a handful of games. Kubalik hasn’t gotten in the goal column since playing Columbus back on November 19. Larkin last scored against Arizona four games ago.
Again, hardly a cause for concern. The Red Wings scored plenty of goals against Buffalo, without either notching one. And they’ve continued to contribute in other ways, too.
Larkin continues to make a case for a raise. Kubalik keeps showing the steal he’s been since signing with Detroit in free agency.
Maybe not so mild after all.