| Detroit Free Press
Dylan Larkin learned a “good lesson” in the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 defeat in the OT to Florida
Dylan Larkin interview after the Red Wings lost 3-2 in the OT to Florida. January 30, 2021.
Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press
The Detroit Red Wings looked better with uniform strength, but his strength game remains a big stain.
They hosted the Florida Panthers on Saturday in the first of two weekend fights at Little Caesars Arena, a brief pause sandwiched between road trips. The Wings pushed the game into overtime before losing 3-2, extending their unbeaten streak to five.
“We beat them 5 to 5,” said Dylan Larkin. “We played a solid game and that is what we wanted to come home to.”
Tyler Bertuzzi scored his fifth goal of the season, but left the game after two periods due to an upper body injury. Coach Jeff Blashill did not report on Bertuzzi’s status immediately after the game, unless he is questionable for Sunday’s rematch.
Anthony Mantha broke a five-game drought and scored his second goal of the season.
[ Detroit Red Wings take step back during road trip: ‘Now we’re fighting against ourselves’ ]
Bertuzzi’s goal gave the Wings the lead, but they let the momentum slip, with Keith Yandle converted into a game of strength 0.5 seconds from the end of the first period.
The Wings did not generate much in the offensive time zone in the first half of the second half, but Thomas Greiss passed through the net. It didn’t help when they had male advantages, which has been a challenge since the beginning of the season. Blashill sent a message to two of his most talented players, leaving Mantha and Dylan Larkin out of the first two power plays.
“It is something that for the team we have to take a look at. It wasn’t working, so try other guys, the next man, ”Larkin said. “We haven’t been good enough, so it was time to change things. I think just watching from the bench was definitely a good lesson for me. “
Aleksi Heponiemi scored in overtime to knock the Wings down 2-5-2. Overall, however, it was an improvement over how badly the Wings played in the previous game, when they gave up seven goals in Dallas.
“That’s the answer we needed,” said Larkin. “This is how we have to play. We played well. “
Wings scores twice in the first
Mantha scored five minutes from the end of the first period, advancing into the net and hitting a loose puck after Sergei Bobrovsky saved Taro Hirose. Mantha had a difficult start to the season, with just four points and a 10-point coming into play. Hirose, called from the taxi squad because Robby Fabbri and Filip Zadina are in the COVID-19 protocol, won his second assist in three games. Bertuzzi made it 2-1 when he grabbed Larkin’s shot and found the goal almost wide.
Sending a message
After going 1 to 7 in the power game on Thursday, Blashill relocated personnel between the two units. On Saturday, he made significant changes to the first two power plays, leaving out Larkin and Mantha. Mantha had a difficult start, with a goal in eight games, but he and Larkin are two of the team’s best offensive players. In the first power plays, a unit had Hirose with Bobby Ryan with Michael Rasmussen, Christian Djoos and Filip Hronek. The other unit was composed of Vladislav Namestnikov, Valtteri Filppula, Danny DeKeyser, Brome and Bertuzzi. Larkin and Mantha were used in later power games.
“Our power play has not been good enough, and I think what the definition of insanity is – it is doing the same thing over and over,” said Blashill. “We felt that we would try a few other guys to give them a chance to see how they would do. And when they were failing, we went back to Larkin and Mantha to see what they would do. Ultimately, power games are not a lot of schemes, but about going out and running and making moves. Someone has to perform and play better in those situations. If it’s larks and Mantha, great. If it’s someone else, great. I’m not sure how you’ll find out if it’s someone else if you don’t try other people. “
Jeff Blashill looks at Detroit Red Wings 3-2 OT loss to Florida
Jeff Blashill interview after Red Wings lost 3-2 in the OT to Florida. January 30, 2021
Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press
Energized Panthers
The Wings faced a lack of players after two minutes of play when Mathias Brome was called in for holding. Aleksander Barkov scored 66 seconds, one of three shots on the net during the Panthers’ man advantage. When the Wings started a power game at 5:19, they were barely able to prepare and fired at Bobrovsky. The Panthers bet 2 on 2 on the strengths of the period, with Yandle showing why it’s a good idea not to give up on the record until the horn blows.
Contact Helene St. James at [email protected]. Follow her on twitter @helenestjames. Read more about the Detroit Red Wings and subscribe to our Red Wings newsletter. His book, The Big 50: The Detroit Red Wings, is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Triumph books. Personalized copies available in your email.