from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,

At 3-10-1, the Red Wings are last in the Central Division and next to last in the entire NHL (Ottawa has the worst record, 2-12-1).

It hasn’t been the Red Wings envisioned. And it was caused, at least partly, by COVID-19 taking out five regulars at one time, just several weeks into the season.

“We went through a stretch we were missing five guys to COVID, and we lost our way a little bit during that stretch,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “Outside of that stretch, we’ve played the type of hockey, both before the five guys were out, and since the Tampa game we got spanked (a decisive loss Feb. 3), the type of hockey that we have to play, any organization has to play, to win.”...

“We’ve checked fairly well and we’re growing in that area,” Blashill said. “We’ve competed and played physical, wand we’re growing in that area.”

Offense continues to be an issue.

The Wings ranked 31st (last) with 1.93 goals per game, 30th on the power play (8.5 percent), 28th in goals for (29), showing statistically how far behind they are.

“We have to find ways to score on our chances,” Blashill said. “We’re getting enough chances to score. We have to find ways to score on our chances.

"That’s where I would say we’re growing and what I look for, and what I’m looking for. We want to judge our team on the individual growth of our players and the growth of our team."

more