from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,
Lalonde, and many players, have talked about the Wings' resiliency this season, all the comebacks, and specifically the third-period comebacks.
There was no better example of this team's ability to keep battling than against Pittsburgh, being down two goals midway in the third period, and rallying once again.
"The guys did a great job," Lalonde said. "I don't usually address the guys after a game but I had to. I said to them after this that was a huge point. To be down two goals with seven minutes left on the road, I give our guys a ton of credit for battling and staying in the fight and getting a point.
"There's still a path there because of that point."
Larkin and Raymond propelled the late comeback, but the push came from so many different directions.
"This team has great battle," Lalonde said. "We're still in the fight and there's a still a path. I won't second guess this group's will and compete. They've battled all year and literally our season is over and our backs are to the wall if we don't get a point in this building.
"We gave it our all and got ourselves a point."
more post game talk...
Continuing to be content with mediocrity.
Can anyone imagine Ken Hitchcock saying these words, multiple times as the season slips away from them? Babcock? Torts? Vigneault? Cooper? Trotz?
Lalonde is a positive coach and we have no idea what he says in the locker room
In the last ten games, with 20 points available, teams fighting for a playoff spot look like:
<pre>NYI - 16 points (8-2-0)
PIT - 17 points (7-0-3)
DET - 9 points (3-4-3)
WAS - 8 points (3-5-2)
PHI - 6 points (2-6-2)</pre>
...and we know who's in at the moment - the teams playing the best (by far).
DET and PHI were in but they have been choking down the stretch, but we all still have a chance.It would really be nice if the veterans would step up and help our kids. :-)
LGRW!
"This team has great battle," Lalonde said.
Unfortunately, it doesn't have great talent to go with that. Lyon is a good goalie, but he rarely "steals" a game. Larkin, Raymond, DeBrincat, Perron, and a few others work their asses off, but that alone isn't going to carry them through a playoff round.
On the other hand, these last few games are (and have been) a great learning experience for guys who've never been close to making the NHL playoffs before. So now it's up to Yzerman and the "draft gods" to take the Wings to the next level. Edvinsson's a start. Hopefully, guys like Kasper, Danielson, Hannas, Wallinder, Cossa, and others will be NHL-ready sooner rather than later.
Lyon stole plenty of games for us and one of the biggest reasons we even care about scores in April. The problem he is not used to play so many games, he just got burnt down.
I agree VP. Lalonde does not manage his goalies well. Husso, Ned and now Alex.
yes. but if they miss the playoffs theres little wiggle room for a 14-15-16 team to move from their position, so thats the spot the Wings would almost certainly be looking at if they miss.
otherwise know as 'hockey hell'
Ill give them full credit for resiliency and continuing to battle in most games. They are accustomed to it because of all the games they shoot themselves in the foot and give themselves an uphill battle.
I think the last lockdown period I saw from them was a couple of weeks ago in the third vs Buffalo, possibly it was a Sunday afternoon.
The Leafs need just 1 point, 2 if TBL wins all their remaining 3 games, to lock in the Division #3 position, and cant catch 2. Will they rest players? Maybe, but not yet Saturday against the Wings.
It would be nice to play them in game 82, but alas and what's worse Matthews needs 2 to 70
yup thats a tough one at toronto.
Question is, will the "Cat" finally wake up from his nap Saturday night? He is one of the reasons the Red Wings probably miss the playoffs. Again.🥲
Lalonde is part of it. Kane-Debrincat had to be separated weeks/months ago. Debrincat did not score yesterday, but had 3 assists and looked great with Larkin and Raymond.
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