from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,
The Red Wings needed a victory Tuesday and the Arizona Coyotes did not oblige.
Playing in the junior-sized rink Mullett Arena, which had tons of Wings fans and still had many seats empty, the Wings dropped a 4-3 decision in a shootout.
Arizona won the shootout 2-0, with Nick Schmaltz and Nick Bjugstad scoring.
"It's tough, it takes a second to soak it in," defenseman Jake Walman said. "We have to close those games out."
The Wings (18-17-8) are winless in their last three games and have won twice in the last eight games.
"It stings," said coach Derek Lalonde, of seeing his team lose a 3-1 third-period lead. "The effort was there. We got tired in the third, and we probably could have managed the 3-1 lead a little bit better. But (with) our effort, three goals on the road, it should be enough to win."
Below, watch Larkin, Walman, Hellberg & Coach Lalonde after the game plus the game highlights.
via Kevin Allen of Detroit Hockey Now,
If you listen carefully to what coach Derek Lalonde said after the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 shootout loss in Arizona, you realize the Alex Nedeljkovic stay with the Grand Rapids Griffins isnt necessarily permanent.
Asked about Magnus Hellbergs play, Lalonde said: Obviously some great saves in overtime, even at the game, but goals two and three cant go in. I think any goalie that is prideful in his game, I think hed want those back also.
Those words are a reminder that the Red Wings goaltending situation is far from settled. If Hellberg falters, and Nedeljkovic is sharp for the Griffins, then we could see Hellberg on waivers and Nedeljkovic back in Detroit. Hellberg has been on waivers three times this season.
As Lalonde said earlier in the week, Nedeljkovic is still Detroits No. 3 goalie. He played impressively well (2.30 goals-against average) in six conditioning starts recently.
The two most overused phrases in hockey, which are ridiculous:
"I think hed want those back also. (You don't get the opp to get those back)
and
"He didn't miss by much". (Yeah, sure, 1 inch or 6 feet, he still missed the net!)
Joe Veleno answers some fan mail,
at the end of last season i commented that i suspected changes were afoot due to lack of effort/apathy from wings - especially when they're playing for one SY.
imo, positive moves were implemented, though presently, i'm at a loss to explain what i'm seeing.
thoughts?
o/t: watching V, notice how he doesn't attempt to deke, that puck has eyes. awaiting his return..
Per ESPN, I was wondering about the attendance last night. I thought Ken Daniels had said the capacity was 5500 or such like. Seemed like a considerable number of empty seats last night, but that doesnt mean they werent sold.
Attendance: 4,600
100%
CAPACITY: 4,400
Hellberg should have had the 1st goal as well. I am willing to give him a break on the 3rd.
I thought all 3 goals were on Hellberg, but he did make great saves too saving us a point at the end of regulation. I think the shots were 30-10 at one point in the third period.
Arizona lost 9 straight prior to this win? These losses to Arizona and Columbus are just deflating for the team and fan base. Detroit is playing the role of spoilers. They spoil teams' chances of getting Bedard.
Lalonde putting the blame on his backup goaltender is absolute weak sauce. How many saves did Hellberg make to bail the team out before and after? I know he was asked, but as the coach, you are measured with what you say, and that was weak sauce from what looks to be a weak rookie coach.
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