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Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings Give up Four, Fall to 1-2

Larkin nets only goal in loss

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Dylan Larkin, Red Wings
Captain Dylan Larkin has scored the last two goals for the Red Wings.

A familiar bugaboo and a worrisome concern were forming a lethal combination to hand the Detroit Red Wings their second setback in three games of the young NHL season.



A 4-1 loss Monday to the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden saw the Wings fall to 1-2 on the season. It’s the first time since the 2020-21 season, when they also started 1-2, that the club has found itself situated with a losing record three games into the campaign.

Of as much early concern as the team’s won-lost record is the fact that they are still struggling to keep the puck out of their net. Last season, the Red Wings would surrender four or more goals in 39 of 82 games. That’s 47.5% of all games.

This season, they’ve done it twice in three games. And yes, we know. Small sample size. Still, considering recent history, the data is trending in the wrong direction.

Alex Lyon made 24 saves in becoming the third Red Wings starting goalie in as many games.

“Really good,” was Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde’s assessment of Lyon’s work to Bally Sports. “Obviously, he looked sharp in there.

“I want to look some of the goals back. Maybe one or two he might want to replay there, but he gave us a chance. Like always, he battled extremely hard. He just got outdueled by probably the best in the league.”

Red Wings Offense Sputters

Detroit would score three goals in each of the team’s first two games of the season. Monday, though, against one of the NHL’s best teams and certainly an elite goalie in Igor Shesterkin, the Red Wings were found wanting when it came to offense.

Captain Dylan Larkin netted what would be the team’s only goal Monday with a buzzer beater at the conclusion of the first period to make it 1-1. The Rangers would outscore the Red Wings 3-0 over the final 40 minutes.

Considering that the team saw 75 goals from last season’s roster depart through trades and free agency, putting the puck in the net is going to be a concern. Detroit’s power play is also a dismal 1-for-11 (9.09%).

“We need goals,” Red Wings coach Lalonde said. “That’s clear.”

It would also help matters if Detroit’s defensive play would stop being a clear and present danger.

Ice Chips

Playing his second straight game since his recall from AHL Grand Rapids, defenseman Justin Holl gave another good accounting of himself. He was responsible for setting up Larkin’s goal . . . With an assist on that goal, Red Wings forward Patrick Kane (814) surpassed former Detroit player Mike Modano to become the No. 2 US-born NHL player in career assists . . . Detroit’s bottom-six forwards were a combined minus-seven.