Red Wings Winning Streak Snapped By Seattle in 4-2 Loss

A broken stick followed by a backbreaking goal shattered the Detroit Red Wings win streak. In a game that had a playoff feel to it, the second year Seattle Kraken snapped Detroit’s five-game winning streak with a 4-2 victory Saturday night.

Gifted a four minute double minor late in the second period, the first two minutes of the Detroit advantage were wiped out within a few seconds. David Perron was whistled for holding the stick, leading to one skater aside. After a broken stick put Seattle down to three men for a handful of seconds, the Red Wings couldn’t capitalize.

Instead, the Kraken buried a goal with just seven seconds left taking a 3-1 lead into the second intermission. Staring down a team 22-1-3 with a lead after two, Detroit couldn’t keep the streak alive.

The Kraken struck first but Pius Suter answered with just 16 seconds remaining in the first period. Jordan Eberle, who absolutely tortured Detroit, scored his second of the game before assisting on the third goal. Eeli Tolvanen potted his 12th goal of the season, and the Kraken suddenly had a 4-1 lead.

Larkin added his 22nd of the season with just over two minutes left in the game. But even with some pressure after that, the Red Wings couldn’t add any more.

Kraken Lead Too Much To Overcome

It wasn’t as if the Kraken cracked Detroit’s momentum. The Red Wings couldn’t overcome their mistakes. The fourth Seattle goal came off a turnover. Seattle’s second marker was the result of a miscue. Even the third goal occurred with Kraken forwards in position without a Red Wing player near them.

To be fair to Ben Chiarot, who is having a horrible game, Hronek is also -3, and Larkin and Bertuzzi are both -2.

Detroit is -14 on the night.

— George Malik (@georgemalik) February 19, 2023

In games that go the wrong way, so too, does the puck luck. Chiarot had a point blank chance but it whistled wide. Tyler Bertuzzi and Dylan Larkin had grade-A chances with just over 10 minutes left. Larkin’s hit the post while Bertuzzi’s was blocked. For David Perron, a pass in the slot hopped over his stick. During another, he fired wide and puck ricocheted off the end boards and came back out too quickly.

When opportunities did arise, and they came in bunches, Detroit either shot wide, were flummoxed by the post or were stymied by Philipp Grubauer.

It’s not as if Detroit played a poor game. It’s more that against top tier teams, and Seattle is emerging as one, mistakes are magnified. The few Detroit made its night even tougher for a comeback.

For the first time in six games, the Red Wings were unable to secure the victory. But in the one stroke of luck for Detroit all night, every team in front of them lost as well.

Though no points were gained for the first time on the road trip, Detroit didn’t lose any footing in the standings.

But the next game against Washington might prove to be the first of many “must wins” if the Red Wings indeed are serious about their playoff aspirations.