MLive’s Ansar Khan asked Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde and forward J.T. Compher for their input as to why the Red Wings lost a 6-3 decision to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night, and where the team is at going forward:
“[I’m] fully confident how we performed in the first period will translate over 60 minutes in being successful,” coach Derek Lalonde said. “Even some of the things that creeped into our game in the second – some D-zone structure, puck play was an issue — it was pretty self-inflicted. So, it’s important not to overreact but to respond correctly. Feels like we kind of gave one away.”
The changes include recalling Justin Holl from the Grand Rapids Griffins and inserting him into the lineup in place of Jeff Petry, who’s unavailable and day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Lalonde said it’s important to have a second right-shooting defenseman in the lineup in addition to Moritz Seider.
They’re also pondering whether Albert Johansson should make his NHL debut. If he doesn’t play Saturday, he’ll likely debut Monday at the New York Rangers, Lalonde said.
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One adjustment in practice saw Lucas Raymond and Patrick Kane switch places. Kane skated with Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat while Raymond lined up with J.T. Compher and Vladimir Tarasenko. Lalonde, however, said line combinations are fluid.
“I think lots to learn from our first game, systems-wise, execution-wise,” Compher said. “We did it right for a period, so we know what it looks like. We know the way we want to play. Then the rest of the game, just learning points, execution, details, stuff that’s important for winning hockey games and stuff we got to clean up going into tomorrow.”
The Predators are coming off a 4-3 season-opening loss Thursday to Dallas. They have a different look after signing forwards Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault in the offseason.
