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Red Wings Notebook: Lalonde’s Team Doesn’t Have A Finishing Touch

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Dominik Kubalik, Red Wings

DETROIT — Captain Dylan Larkin came away feeling as if his Detroit Red Wings left too much good work unfinished in Tuesday’s home loss to the Edmonton Oilers.



That has been a theme too often this season.

“We could have had more and there was chances to be had,” Larkin said. “We left a lot out there tonight. That’s what I’m sure we’re gonna talk about with Newsy and our staff tomorrow.”

The Red Wings took a 1-0 first-period lead against Edmonton and it should have been bigger. Robby Fabbri hit a post from a couple of feet away with a half-empty net.

The inability to finish is a problem. Lately, it seems heightened because key players have slumped. Tyler Bertuzzi scored his first goal in 13 games. Remember how hot Dominik Kubalik was at the start of the season? He has two goals in his past 15 games. He has one power play goal since Dec. 31.

More Confidence Needed

“Maybe it’s a little confidence,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “Obviously, it’s not going in. He’s got those looks on the back door. A confident Kuby probably puts those in the back of the net. Now he’s looking pass first. That’s part of the frustration on the power play. We had a ton of good looks, we have some good movement. We had them out of position and we were unable to cash in.”

The Red Wings were 0-for-5 on the power play against the Oilers. David Perron also hasn’t scored a power play goal since Dec. 29. He’s another player who was hot early in the season.

“We got to finish,” Lalonde said. “I know it sounds simple. I know we’re not natural finishers, goal-scorers, we don’t have a ton of 30-, 40-, 50-goal scorers on our team. We actually don’t have any of them really. It’s kind of got to be by a group. We just got to cash in some of those chances. Tonight, we got those looks. But unfortunately it just didn’t go in.”

Seider Stays Sharp

Over the past month, defenseman Moritz Seider has taken his game up a notch. Lalonde has been pleased with Seider all season, but he’s been even more noticeable offensively and defensively for the past dozen games.

Seider made a spiffy pass to earn the primary assist on a Joe Veleno goal, giving him 12 points in his past 11 games. He’s +4 in that span.  He had three shots on goal, two hits and two blocked shots against the Oilers