4 unanswered goals snap Wings’ streak
At some point late in the second period Ken Daniels started to talk about how if the Wings could hold onto a 3-1 lead they would once again tie the franchise record for consecutive wins. He then talked a little bit about how if the lead held up Detroit would play their long-time rivals in Toronto with a chance to set a new franchise record.
On the one hand that would have been a great chapter in a rivalry that simply doesn’t occur often enough any more. But the Los Angeles Kings put an end to that talk by scoring four unanswered goals to drop the Red Wings 5-3. While a chance to make history would have been nice, I think it could end up being a blessing in disguise that the game last night highlighted just how much Detroit needs another top 4 defenseman.
Sure, things will look better when Niklas Kronwall returns - in just under 2 weeks according to what Daniels said during the game against Minnesota. But if the big Kings forwards showed us anything it’s that the Wings need another big D-man who can play on the penalty kill. Nick Lidstrom played 26 minutes and was -3. Andreas Lilja and Brian Rafalski were on the ice for both Los Angeles power play goals.
Detroit benefitted from two ultra-soft goals given up by Jason LaBarbera. Otherwise the Kings did a masterful job of keeping Detroit to the outside and of blocking any attempts the Wings made to shoot from outside or to pass the puck into the slot area. There has been talk that the Wings could make a play to acquire Rob Blake prior to the trade deadline. He didn’t play last night as he’s sidelined with an injury. But Brad Stuart made a pretty impressive showing as he scored one goal and notched two assists to go +2.
Former Red Wing Kyle Calder also had a solid game as he scored a goal and an assist. Andreas Lilja and Nicklas Lidstrom were the defensemen who were victimized by both 3rd period even-strength goals, and Lilja was on the ice partnered with Brian Rafalski for both of the goals against while on the penalty kill. Lilja only ended up -1 because he was technically on the ice for Z’s first goal. He replaced Lidstrom who assisted on Zetterberg’s goal, otherwise Lids would have been -2.
You should never read too much into one game, but this game seemed to highlight Detroit’s one vulnerability: the second defensive pairing. The team went 0-5 on the power play and allowed 2 power play goals. Derek Meech and Chris Chelios both had great games, going +2. James Mirtle commented that Meech is a really good skater, and one benefit to Kronner’s injury is that it has allowed Meech to finally get some significant ice time. So the third pairing is perfectly fine. If the Red Wings could keep Rafi and Lids together the top pairing would be rock solid.
The second pairing of Brett Lebda and Andreas Lilja, however, is the area where Detroit is vulnerable right now. Neither player can really contribute on the power play and the Wings have been forced to split the top pairing and to use Rafalski on the PK, which isn’t his strength. When Kronner gets back he’ll solidify the second power play unit and he’ll help bolster the PK. But even with that being the case the Red Wings need a D-man with size who can play alongside Kronner and play on the penalty kill. It would be ideal if he also was a right-handed shot and could play on the power play.
That could have been Brent Sopel and it could be Rob Blake. Regardless, last night’s game showed that the team’s number one need as the trade deadline approaches isn’t Marian Hossa, Peter Forsberg [more on that later], or Mats Sundin.
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[…] I was only able to watch the first period last night, so I did not see the collapse that resulted in an embarrassing loss to the League’s last place team. However, you can read all about it over at Gorilla Crouch, where Dave suggests the game was further evidence that the team needs to acquire a top four defenseman at the deadline. […]