The Breakdown: Red Wings can’t capitalize on leads against Capitals

Twice the Detroit Red Wings found themselves in front of the Washington Capitals on Monday night. Once, it was a multiple-goal advantage.

In the end, though, Detroit wound up in a usual place of late – on the wrong end of the scoreboard.

Dmitry Orlov’s goal with 21.3 seconds left in the extra session gave the Capitals their only lead of the night in a 4-3 victory over the Red Wings. It was Detroit’s seventh overtime loss of the season. That’s tied for the NHL lead with the Philadelphia Flyers. The Wings are 2-7 in OT this season.

“We get a Grade A from the inner slot and put a dent in the crossbar,” Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde told Bally Sports. “They score from outside the scoring area post and in. It’s kind of going that way in overtime.”

Red Wings Slump Continues

Squadering 2-0 and 3-2 leads, the Wings were trying to paint a happy face on an outcome that left them winless in six (0-4-2) and with just two wins over their last 11 games (2-6-3).

Detroit captain Dylan Larkin thinks the team just needs to relax and start enjoying themselves again to turn things around.

“Gripping the stick tight, thinking about it too much,” Larkin told Bally Sports. “Instead of just going and playing, playing free, playing with confidence, we’re thinking a lot.

Lucas Raymond gets his 8th of the year. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/OWqYWI6auC

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 20, 2022

“Tonight was much better. We generated more. Our first period was our best period of hockey in a long time. Penalty kill was really good (three-for-three). We played much more to our identity, hard to play against. We forechecked hard, we battled.

“It’s frustrating but we’re trying not to get too down on this effort, because we feel it was a positive effort.”

Detroit gave up its 2-0 lead after one period on a pair of Nic Dowd goals in the second period that were separated by 11 seconds.

“Obviously that two-minute stretch (when Dowd scored his goals) was a tough one there,” Lalonde said. “The fact that we’re sitting on an 0-4-1 stretch and we had some chances, it’s a little frustrating. But on the whole, again probably a really good point against a very good home team. We just left some plays out there.”

BetMGM Sportsbook

States: All States Where Legal

GET THE APP

SIGNUP BONUSUP TO $1,000!
Up To $1000 Paid Back in Bonus BetsBET NOW

Facts And Observations

1. Lucas Raymond’s goal that put Detroit up 3-2 in the third period was his first tally in seven games and second over the last 17 contests
2. Washington is 5-1 in its last six games at home
3. Rookie forward Elmer Soderblom was a healthy scratch for the Red Wings
4. The Capitals outshot Detroit 42-19
5. Gordie’s son Mark and Marty Howe were on hand as Washington captain Alex Ovechkin searches for his 801st NHL goal to tie their dad on the all-time list. But Detroit held Ovechkin goalless on three shots