Red Wings Fail to overcome New Jersey Devils

The Red Wings worked like a light switch today. They’d be on for the first half of the period and flip off and let New Jersey score twice in the last ten minutes of both of the first two periods. Costly errors and the team’s abysmal penalty kill had parts, but the main factor in the Red Wings loss to New Jersey was their inability to finish. In a game that was meant to test whether or not the Red Wings could compete with the big boys, they came up far short. The score was 5-4, but the game never felt that close after the second period.

Devils in the details

The Red Wings did not play a complete period of hockey tonight. Justin Holl was called for hooking and Vladimir Tarasenko for delay of game, leading directly to New Jersey power-play goals. In the case of Holl’s penalty, it took Dougie Hamilton less than ten seconds to find the net and bring the Devils within one. Timo Meier scored on a delay of game served by Tarasenko to tie the game 2-2 with 2:00 on the clock in the first period.

Detroit took the lead again early in the second period after Ben Chiarot fired one off from the blue line and got the tip-in from Tyler Motte to get Detroit back up 3-2.

Nico Hischier tied it up off a lapse in Detroit coverage, peppering Cam Talbot with shots with 8:50 left. Stefan Noesen would take advantage of a Devils’ fast break and there wasn’t a red sweater in sight to help Talbot clear the puck to get it to 4-3. Chiarot would get a high sticking to leave the Red Wings undermanned for the first four minutes of the third period. Jack Hughes extended the New Jersey lead 5-3 after three minutes. An improbable bouncing shot from Justin Holl got the Red Wings their fourth goal on the night. Ultimately, though, it wasn’t enough. The Devils dominated the rest of the period, and the game.

Said Motte, “Especially there in the first we had an opportunity to have a really good first period going with the lead, and we didn’t get it done.”

Heating Up

Detroit’s much maligned forward core is starting to heat up, at least on paper.  Tarasenko started the scoring on an early power-play goal on a set up from Jeff Petry. Lucas Raymond’s attempt to tuck the puck behind Jacob Markstrom’s shin-pad didn’t quite work. However, the deflection into a New Jersey player in front of the net and Dylan Larkin flying in from the blind side got the job done. Despite carrying the highest point total on the team, Raymond has had a slow start to the season. However, Raymond has had a goal in the past five games. Detroit needs scoring from more than a handful of their top 6 forwards, but consistency from the top will alleviate some pressure. Tarasenko scoring and the return of Patrick Kane should help matters.

Quick Hits-

-Tonight was the Talbot’s 500th game. Players were seen wearing custom shirts with the goaltender’s face to celebrate the occasion. The goalie is now 251-181-44 in his career.

-Tyler Motte and Justin Holl had their first goals of the season. It was also Motte’s first as a Red Wing.

-Jeff Petry briefly went to the locker room after blocking a shot with his leg early in the third period. However, veteran defenseman did return on the third pair. Said Coach Lalonde, “Petry left for a little bit, but he came back, so hopefully a good sign.”