Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings Ask: Where Have All The Goals Gone?
Detroit averaged 1.33 goals per game on homestand
Four score has proven to be the most common outcome for the Detroit Red Wings this season. Saturday, for the fourth time this season, no score was Detroit’s final tally.
A team that’s been fairly consistent in terms of productivity this season suddenly can’t find the back of the net at all.
Saturday’s 5-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche left Detroit with a goals-per-game average of 1.33 over the club’s three-game homestand.
“It’s just not getting it done, not getting to the final step,” captain Dylan Larkin said of the club’s attack. “We get in the zone and it may look good sometimes, but it’s not.
“The puck’s not crossing the goal line. I think probably on the home stand, the 6-on-5 against Washington was the most desperation we played with, and the puck went in (twice).”
#RedWings of 2025-26 acting like 2025 #Tigers. The Tigers played awesome for first (almost) half season before blowing 14-game lead then barely getting into playoffs. Wings have lost last three with little offense to show. #LGRW
— Jay Taylor (@hotburrito9) January 31, 2026
Over the three games of the 0-2-1 homestand, the Red Wings scored four goals. That’s their lowest output since an early-November stretch during which they scored twice in three games.
On November 4, the Wings lost 1-0 at Vegas. Three days later, they fell 4-1 at home to the New York Rangers. That was followed up by a 5-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on November 9, also on home ice.
The good news is that the slide was followed by a 10-goal outburst over the next two games.
Red Wings Have Proven To Be Consistent Scorers
Coach Todd McLellan likes to talk about how NHL games are a race to three. More often than not this season, the Red Wings are winning that race.
In 35 of 57 games, Detroit has scored at least three goals. That amounts to 61.4% of all Red Wings games. Breaking it down, Detroit has scored three goals in 10 games, four goals in 15 games, five goals in seven games, and six goals on three occasions.
That level of output has dried up lately.
5v5 Stats for Wings Forwards from moneypuck.. not pretty. How's everyone feel about these? Are they worse than you would've initially believed? Who's the most disappointing? #redwings #hockeytown #LGRW pic.twitter.com/4vQkpTQghK
— Hockeytown Hangout (@HkytownHang) February 1, 2026
“Right now offensively, we’re not supporting each other well,” McLellan said. “We’re not creating open ice for other people. We’re not getting to secondary chances. We’ll get the grade A ones, and then that’s it.
“To me, one guy’s working and doing some honest work. He’s protecting pucks, and four other guys are standing. I was barking on the bench (Saturday), move, move. If you don’t have the puck, move.”
Red Wings Power Play Has Also Dried Up
Another factor in the tepid offensive output is a power play that has gone completely AWOL. Detroit is 0-for-13 with the man advantage over the past four games.
McLellan tried shuffling the personnel on his power-play units during Saturday’s game, to no avail.
“We can’t get in the zone, or we can’t win the faceoff,” Larkin said. “It’s always something different.
“A lot of times right now, it’s just not finishing and not getting it to the net and being dangerous around the net.”
They have had no puck luck and that happens. THe bigger problem is that everyone starts the game using a ferocious forecheck against the Wings. They can’t keep it up all game but long enough to get the lead. The real problem is the Wings are TOO SOFT. There leading hitter is a European 6’1″ 200 pound second line center and that is so sad. There isn’t a physical presence on the team . SY doesn’t believe in it and it shows: for going on 8 years it shows! Soderblom is useless, should have waived him and kept Berggren. Rasmussen can’t get thru a shift without falling in his ass let alone hit someone. Imagine this team with a Tkachuk or a Marchand on it. Why does SY even want to be the GM, he does nothing. NO HELP COMING AGAIN.
As fans, we get upset and rightfully so at times. Do we take it too far at times? Yes, I know I do for sure. We want to see the team to do well, the GM to make the best decisions and better decisions which we (I) feel he should make. But again, that is me or the fan in me speaking.
In the larger scheme of things, I believe Steve Yzerman and crew want to improve the roster much more than it is and understand the roster is not yet good enough and does need improvement.
Where are we at?
Does Steve Yzerman believe the roster is at the point where he would like to make a move? And is it a big move or small move? Fans like myself want the best and big move. However, that player must be available. Next, the other team must be willing to deal with Detroit. With so many teams these days, it is more challenging.
Now, with other decisions it is puzzling as to why some changes that can be done are not done. That indeed is frustrating. Why not call-up Wallinder for the past 4 games or so? What is the possible harm? Personally, I think Wallinder may be better at the higher level (NHL) than the AHL. He did something like that in Sweden. Regardless, it is worth the chance. MBN? Well, it may be related to his ELC. Yet then again, would that stop the front office if he performs well?
For me, I believe the players can use some support in the way of something being done (even like the previous paragraph). Confidence comes in various ways. In summary, your boss providing you the additional tools to get the job done bodes well for additional confidence.
Disclaimer: This is coming from the fan who wanted and believed Yzerman was coming home to be the GM.
Edvinsson being out d the perfect chance to call up Wallinder or Buium. No reason why not to is valid unless it a trade happened and not needed. Calling up Holl? WT?
I understand his slow and steady approach but he is at times too cautious or stubborn. It’s not a good thing.
He needs to get something done before the Olympics or I will lose a bit more faith. TDL will be much harder and maybe to late.
The team looks gassed. It’s too bad the Olympic break wasn’t a week or two earlier. It’s great the NHL is participating in the Olympics, but this schedule has been brutal.