Of Red Wings-related note this afternoon:
- DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills posted an article which sets up tonight’s match-up between the Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres (7 PM EDT start on FanDuel Sports Network Detroit/97.1 FM):
Head coach Derek Lalonde said the Red Wings have shown signs of what they can be through the first 10 games of the season but are still looking for more consistency.
“We’re sitting here 4-5-1,” Lalonde said. “We’re probably what our record is, but I think there’s some signs of hopefully we can trend this the right way. We knew we’d be up against it. Just the 10-game schedule on who we were playing, you add in Winnipeg probably exceeding expectations and being a really good team, probably feeling where our record is. Some ups and downs in there. We got to start finding some consistency, hopefully starting Saturday.”
Detroit is looking to right the ship after its third straight loss, a 6-2 setback to the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday. The matchup saw the Red Wings fall behind by three goals in the opening frame, an early deficit that proved too much to overcome against the NHL’s top club.
“Obviously a disappointing night,” said Moritz Seider, who recorded two assists against the Jets for his second multi-point game of the season. “I think we were expecting a different outcome. Other than that, we weren’t really ready to compete. We faced a team that was willing to take a little bit more on their own shoulders and respond after a loss. That’s just something we couldn’t quite handle. The good thing, though, is it was a lot of our own mistakes. We can definitely build off that and find a way to win a hockey game against Buffalo.”
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The Sabres visit Little Caesars Arena for the first time this season after falling to the New York Islanders, 4-3, on Friday. Dylan Cozens, Jason Zucker and Owen Power all found the back of the net in the loss for Buffalo, which has dropped two games in a row.
“They obviously like to play offense,” Seider said about the Sabres. “They like to stretch us out and are willing to cheat a little bit to gain momentum in the offensive zone. If we can control that, obviously get involved emotionally, I think we’ll have a good game plan on our side and hopefully get two points.”
2. The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan posted an article which discusses the fact that the Red Wings don’t have a traditional net-front player in their top PP group:
There’s an interesting twist on the Wings’ top power play unit. With Moritz Seider, Patrick Kane, Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat and Lucas Raymond, there isn’t a true net-front player in the bunch.
Lalonde acknowledges the lack of a net-front presence but feels the Wings can be effective with movement.
“It’s something we’re kind of working through,” Lalonde said. “The idea with it is we still need to get around the hard area, still need to take the goalie’s eyes when need be. But sometimes with a power play like that, you’re looking to manipulate the PK a little bit, with some really fast, good puck movement. The idea is to have good sticks around the net in those hard areas.
“Both goals were very similar (Wednesday) with some quick plays around the net. There are ways you can work through the power play to be successful. It’s been scoring of late for us but it’s something we’re constantly working through, not having that traditional net-front guy.
“It’s about us. When we’re winning puck battles, when we’re getting fast movement on the power play, it’s successful no matter who is in any position.”
3. In his game-day notebook, the Hockey News’s Sam Stockton discussed the Red Wings’ takes on facing the Sabres this evening…
“There’s a little familiarity obviously, just playing them a week ago…It’s a really talented team: doesn’t need much to create offense, some elite-type players,” said coach Derek Lalonde after this morning’s skate. “I think it’s important on us not to give them easy offense, and then maybe hopefully dictate a little bit more. Maybe the first period versus Edmonton, maybe the second period versus Winnipeg. I just [want] a little more consistency with our overall play.”
Alex DeBrincat had a similar message this morning. When asked to assess his team’s start to the season, the Farmington Hills-born winger replied, “Still a little inconsistent. We’ve had some good games, some really good periods, and haven’t played a full 60 for enough games, so I think our starts are very important. We had a poor start last game that kinda put us behind the eight ball, and we’ve gotta figure that out.”
To DeBrincat, the key to channeling the best of the Red Wings’ game (say the first period against Edmonton or the second against the Jets, as Lalonde named) lies in concentration. “I think it’s just focus,” the diminutive winger said. “Certain spots of the game we’re really focused, and we need that attitude the whole game, and it hasn’t been there enough. I think if we can come out tonight going and have that killer mentality and get pucks back and play in their zone—Like I said, we haven’t had enough of that, and I think we need more.”
4. And the Free Press’s Helene St. James posted a video of Andrew Copp, Patrick Kane and Derek Lalonde addressing today’s game from yesterday afternoon:
5. Also, from DetroitHockey.net’s Clark Rasmussen:
Stupid Stat of the Day: The Red Wings haven’t lost to the Buffalo Sabres in regulation on a Saturday in November since 1980.
