Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings Can’t Overcome Own Demons, Fall to Devils in New Jersey
The Detroit Red Wings have had an up-and-down season, and entering tonight’s game against the New Jersey Devils, they sat atop the Eastern Conference rankings. In many ways, tonight was a good eye test for a Detroit team looking to find its own brand of consistent, winning hockey. Especially against a Devils team that seems to bring the best hockey and worst attitude out of the Red Wings.
It started when J.T. Compher caught Nico Hischier looking the other way, trying to break out for a scoring chance near center ice. Compher caught with an elbow that sent Hischier into the boards headfirst, earning a boarding penalty and briefly sending the Devils’ captain into the locker room. The Red Wings killed the ensuing power play and had an opportunity to score when they forced a turnover just as Compher was sprung from the box. Unfortunately, Compher was unable to convert on yet another breakaway chance. He was sent back into the penalty box with a fighting major alongside Stephen Noesen, which put the Red Wings on a power play they could not capitalize on.
Getting Behind
Shortly after Hischier returned to the ice, Timo Meier tipped his shot in to get the Devils up 1-0. Alex Debrincat tied it for the Red Wings with just under three and a half minutes to play. New Jersey responded with a goal a minute and a half later from Hischier to put the Devils up 2-1, and then tacked another on with a Cody Glass tip-in. Down 3-1 going into the second, James Van Riemsdyk got a backhand chip in to make it 3-2 shortly into the period.
However, the Devils would get their two-goal lead back before the halfway point of the period when Connor Brown scored. That came off of a Travis Hamonic turnover behind the net, where the puck was poke-checked into a pass behind him with no other defender near Cam Talbot’s blindside.
The Red Wings would make 4-3 midway through the third when Lucas Raymond’s shot hit the inside of the net and rebounded right behind Devils goalie Jacob Markstrom- And right in front of Dylan Larkin’s stick. The Red Wings captain leads the team in points.
The Outtake
The game was capped off with a couple of scattered scrums around the net after the Red Wings failed to pull off the comeback tonight. The Red Wings are still finding their footing. After a comeback win against the Blue Jackets, Detroit were poised to get some momentum playing a Devils team missing some of its star power. Instead, they weren’t able to overcome a New Jersey squad that held the lead the entire game. No matter how the Red Wings fought tonight, with their sticks or with their fists, they couldn’t get ahead or catch up to the Devils.
Instead, it was the same issues as normal. A lack of depth scoring, defensive lapses, and a team that couldn’t stay out of its own way and capitalize on the biggest chances.
Trying to win games by most always coming from behind is a recipe for failure.
Obie you are spot on. They have been doing this for years. Can’t win playing this way.
HAMONIC SUCKS. TERRIBLE.
On the contrary, I’ve always enjoyed the harmonica.
It is really sad that the organization and even some fans do not see that this team is yet so incomplete. No team is winning with the likes of Hamonic, Copp, Compher, Ras and a huge lack more often than not… a strong forechecking game. No, one game forechecking does not mean it is consistent.
The coach plays Hamonic. Why? Nobody could figure that one out and it is continual. Next, the FO does not nothing at all to improve the D or call-up forwards that will actually get something done on the ice each game. At least, MBN gave it his all each shift.
On another note, Nate Danielson and Marco Kasper (though there is time) really need to play good hockey and be difference makers at top 10 picks (9, 8 respectively). Will they? I hope so. Nate really needs to shoot the puck more on net. Is he too reserved? I do not know, but I certainly hope not. For some reason, the organization has shied away from shooters with the exception recent draft picks: MBN and Bear. We can add the acquisition of Kiiskinen. Buchelnikov is the only other one.
I do not think the team will make the playoffs once again. Meanwhile, Larkin’s years are wasted. Steve Yzerman has really made some serious blunders in free agency. I hope it stops.
The to go list (granted that most of the D are gone after this season):
1) Hamonic.
2) Erik G.
3) Holl.
4) Chiarot.
5) Ras.
6) Copp.
7) Compher.
8) JVR.
Agree with most of your post. What the heck is wrong with Kasper. Not even one assist all season, that’s almost impossible.
Right now, put him on the top line. Get MBN back from GR. Here it goes for me. And thank you. I must state that I am tired of those fans that think changes are not needed.
Kasper-Larkin-Raymond
DeBrincat-Copp-Kane
Finnie-Danielson-MBN (they will be fine).
Berggren-Compher-Appleton
Sincerely, Mickey Spillane
The Yzerplan! LGRW
Not gonna win many when you give up 4.
I really do not get it. Retreads signings… I mean.
If the Wings would play the entire game with the intensity that they show in the final 10 minutes of a game, they wouldn’t lose games like last night. The Devils ran over and around the Wings for most of the game and they never stopped. I’m not sure why the Wings can’t do that. Talent? Motivation? What?
Unfortunately, Compher was unable to convert…
Rinse and repeat. He’s a good guy, but he’s slow, he’s a poor passer, and he has hands of stone. That’s not the qualities you need in a 2nd-line center, especially with Kane and Cat on the wings.
I did love the energy Finnie showed being back on the 1st line. But Larkin and Raymond always seem to bring out the best in their linemate. So, please put Kasper back on that line and let Finnie try centering Kane and Cat.What the hell could it hurt to at least try it? Kasper’s not going to work out his current problems playing with Copp and JVR. If the Toddfather is going to leave him with guys like that then send him to GR and bring up Leonard.
I would put Finnie with Danielson. But yeah, put Kasper with Larkin and Raymond.
If he doesn’t snap out of it soon ,Kasper needs to go ride the buses again.
Completely agree with you. Have to do something with him. Just too many players on the team doing nothing. Can’t win on a regular basis that way. Maybe a spell in the minors may get his confidence back. Just hope that last year wasn’t a fluke.