Wing Troubles Continue

The Wings allowed zero goals through two periods, and then BOOM - three goals in the 3rd. That's troubling. How could the defense fail so badly in crunch time? The Avs are not the Blackhawks; they're not even the Capitals. Yet, they had enough to punch three into the net and skate away with a shootout victory.

According to mLive, the Red Wings lead the league in turnovers (95). Chatting briefly with John last night, he said that the transition game is killing the Wings (interestingly, that's the same thing killing the Pistons, but that's another story). We've seen it develop over the past 12 months. Other teams have figured out how to prevent the quick-strike outlet passes from the Red Wing defensemen. They jump on the outlet passes and keep the puck in the Red Wing zone. Against Colorado, I watched a frustrated Red Wing defense ice the puck three times in the 1st period. It was bizarre.

They did manage to control the game in the 2nd period, playing the dominant style we're used to seeing. It was the most dominant I had seen them play all season. Yet, it all crumbled in the 3rd. All season, Babcock has preached defense (also same with Kuester), but they remain 22nd in the league in goals-against (3.4/game). And they haven't had the offense to match (3.1/game). So, what's a coach to do?

My guess is that only part of the problem is strategy. Babcock will need to devise a game-plan to exploit the opposition's constant forechecking. If the Avs, Blues, and Blackhawks want to commit so many players to the forecheck, that should open up the ice in the neutral zone. I'm no coach, but that seems like common sense. Nevertheless, I think the main issue is focus and desire. The players that went through the grueling playoffs last year are just not clicking. It's got to be tough motivating for these early season games, while still emotionally spent from last June.

That's why it should be no surprise that folks like Bertuzzi, Williams, and Brad May are playing with a bit more drive. They've got something to prove. But Zetterberg? He seems a bit worn out. Same with Stuart, Kronwall, Rafalski, and Nick.

75 games left, so there's no reason to panic. The rest of the NHL is ready for them to falter, but Babcock won't let that happen. I expect a different Red Wing team to come back from the upcoming West Coast trip. Even during the best of times, they struggle out West. This current trip could force the team to gel and focus. They may not have a great record, but tough games in Calgary and Edmonton will get the blood flowing.