The Detroit Red Wings embarked on its first trip feeling good about the start of the season.
Then they went 0-3-1, facing many of the problems that led to their terrible 2019-20 season – defensive breaks, poor scoring, ineffective strength play.
They quickly return home with the games against the Florida Panthers on Saturday (7 pm, Fox Sports Detroit) and Sunday (5 pm, FSD), and there is an urgency to add some points as they then return to the road for six games.
“We cannot afford to lose two points. Every game is important to be against our own division, ”said Dylan Larkin after Thursday’s 7-3 loss in Dallas.
“We are on the road for long periods of time and we have to find a way to enjoy the points at home. We are playing against a team from Florida that has not played many games. We have to find a way to earn points at home. “
Florida is 3-0-1, having had four games postponed due to COVID-19 problems with opponents (Dallas, Carolina).
The Red Wings (2-5-1) lost five regular players on their trip due to the COVID protocol – strikers Robby Fabbri, Filip Zadina, Sam Gagner and Adam Erne and defender Jon Merrill. None will be ready this weekend and some will probably not be available at the start of the trip next week.
Players on the COVID protocol list cannot exercise for a minimum of 14 days. As soon as they are released, they will need some practice time before returning to the roster.
“Part of the process is getting them back in shape so they don’t get hurt, that’s probably the number one priority, they don’t have groin problems or soft tissue injuries because they didn’t skate at that level,” said trainer Jeff Blashill.
“They will only be placed when we realize that they are in shape. They may not be as ready to practice as we want, but if they are in shape, there is a good chance they will be included in the lineup.
Their absences contributed to the fights, especially in the attack, where the Red Wings are tied at 29º, with an average of 2.00 goals per game, and in power play (22º with 14.8%).
Fabbri was centering a second effective line with Zadina and Bobby Ryan. These three, along with Gagner and Merrill, also played in the power game.
The available players must step up their game.
Anthony Mantha has just one goal and three assists, with a league score of -10 worst. Vladislav Namestnikov has only one point (one goal) and Mathias Brome has been without points for eight games.
“If there is someone who can do a better job, we have to keep looking,” said Blashill. “We have to find a way. These guys need to get their games or someone else has to do the job. We’re going to have some guys coming back, but it’s not until the weekend. “
Larkin, after Thursday’s game, spoke about the lack of confidence in power play.
“We have the disc on our stick and we are nervous about making plays,” he said. “We don’t want this on our power play stick, we are questioning everything, we are not moving, we are not difficult to get the inputs we want and configure.
“I think that all the power play goals we scored this year simply kept everything simple, throwing it into the net. It was not the most beautiful goal, but it is in the net. You have to find a way to go. We are having powerful games, we are taking chances, these are great opportunities, and this is where we have to build momentum for our team. “
Bernier out: Goalkeeper Jonathan Bernier suffered an upper body injury in the second period on Thursday after a collision with Mantha. Bernier left the game and his status this weekend is uncertain.
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