Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen offers 5 storylines to watch for the Red Wings during the upcoming calendar year:
2. Cleaning Up Defensive End
To stay in playoff contention, or just to remain competitive, the Red Wings must be better defensively in their own zone.
“One thing, through the course of the rest of the season that will have to be better for us to improve our record or even maintain our record is give up less chances,” Blashill said.
Blashill said the team needs to learn when they can make a play and when they can’t make a play.
“And also how to push pucks up the wall with slash support so you can keep possession without making hope plays in the middle of the ice,” Blashill said.
The Detroit Red Wings have been sloppy defensively, particularly on the road. They have won at home because they have overcome their defensive shortcomings. But to win on the road, they have to be better defensively.
“Another area would be just continue to work on D-zone coverage and become great at it,” Blashill said. “Making sure we’re not giving up Grade A chances in D zone coverage. That’s a big area.”
