The Red Wings finally got their groove back last night. Something about the Sharks brings out the best in them. They outskated, outchanced, and significanly outshot the Sharks, but still fell in the shootout. It was their 4th loss in a row, and their seventh overtime loss in eight tries.
The Sharks are the top team in the West and perhaps the NHL. Yet, they were completely dominated the Wings. The Wings possessed the puck and, in general, controlled the entire game with pinpoint passing. It was vintage Red Wings for the first time in months. They did lose a point at the end, but the game left this fan feeling somewhat optimistic. The return of Homer and Franzen definitely boosted the power-play, despite blowing the 4-on-3 opportunity in overtime. The Wings don't have much of a 2nd power-play unit, but the first with Z, Pavel, Homer, and Nick should provide some power.
They sit one point out of the playoffs, with 22 games remaining. Provided they don't lose players to injury in the Olympics, the Red Wings will have every opportunity to make a late push. I had little hope in this team prior to last night's game. It was like the light finally went on.
With that said, one game (especially a loss) does not guarantee a turnaround. Their pattern of play this season illustrates a severe scoring shortage and inconsistent defense. That will have to change. Lilja and Kronwall should be back after the break, which means fewer minutes for Meech and Lebda. Meech, for all his faults earlier this year, earned some minutes on the power play recently. He's improved but should still be the odd-man-out. The bottom feeders for plus/minus are:
The Sharks are the top team in the West and perhaps the NHL. Yet, they were completely dominated the Wings. The Wings possessed the puck and, in general, controlled the entire game with pinpoint passing. It was vintage Red Wings for the first time in months. They did lose a point at the end, but the game left this fan feeling somewhat optimistic. The return of Homer and Franzen definitely boosted the power-play, despite blowing the 4-on-3 opportunity in overtime. The Wings don't have much of a 2nd power-play unit, but the first with Z, Pavel, Homer, and Nick should provide some power.
They sit one point out of the playoffs, with 22 games remaining. Provided they don't lose players to injury in the Olympics, the Red Wings will have every opportunity to make a late push. I had little hope in this team prior to last night's game. It was like the light finally went on.
With that said, one game (especially a loss) does not guarantee a turnaround. Their pattern of play this season illustrates a severe scoring shortage and inconsistent defense. That will have to change. Lilja and Kronwall should be back after the break, which means fewer minutes for Meech and Lebda. Meech, for all his faults earlier this year, earned some minutes on the power play recently. He's improved but should still be the odd-man-out. The bottom feeders for plus/minus are:
- Meech (-12)
- Stuart (-14)
- Ericsson (-16)
Stuart's, as I mentioned before, is a bit of an aberration. He's played well until recently. The stats for Meech and Ericsson, though, are cause for alarm. Again last night, Ericsson was responsible for a Shark goal. Yet, I'm convinced Ericsson has a big upside. He showed his mettle last year in the playoffs. There were bound to be problems this year, as he's basically a rookie. We just had such high hopes. We wanted another Lidstrom. Sigh. Ericsson still needs minutes, though, so sit Meech. Sorry kid.
It'll be one or the otherThe Wings host Ottawa on Saturday before the two-week Olympic break. The Wings have lost four straight. My prediction: 4-2 Wings. And I'm never the optimist!
Saw the result last night as a SO loss, so I assumed it was more of the same depressing Wing play that has been so frustrating all season. However, I looked forward to NFM's take - and was buoyed. Thanks No Frown!
ReplyDeleteI fucking hate shootouts. I'm so close to just giving up on the NHL.
ReplyDeleteFor the record, my only consolation on the shootouts is that they DON'T happen in the playoffs. Of course, that only matters IF the Wings make the playoffs.
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