Red Wings’ Larkin Urges Improvement Amidst Team’s Struggles…
Detroit faced its seventh loss in eight games, with a disappointing 5-2 defeat against the Winnipeg Jets. Captain Dylan Larkin did not mince words in his evaluation of the team’s recent performance.
Larkin expressed concern, stating, “We’re in a bit of a downward spiral right now.” He emphasized the team’s failure to find solutions after their defeat, acknowledging the worsening situation.
There must have been some magic
In that ole top line they found 🚨For when they placed them on the ice
They began to dance around 🌟 pic.twitter.com/VdRmGasgF8— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) December 21, 2023
Detroit’s troubles extend across the board. Not only have they suffered four consecutive losses, but they also haven’t held a lead for a single second in any of these games. Over the current 1-6-1 stretch, the Red Wings have allowed four or more goals in five games, while their offensive struggles have seen them score fewer than three goals in four contests.
Larkin attributed the team’s struggles to a lack of cohesion, stating, “We’re trying, but things just aren’t clicking right now. Our offense is out of sync, and you can’t win hockey games with a defensive performance like that. Our defense has been particularly poor.”
Patrick Kane pulls the #RedWings within 2. pic.twitter.com/TkpLV0sRU1
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 21, 2023
In the recent loss, defensive lapses were evident as they lost coverage in the defensive zone, leaving goalie James Reimer vulnerable. Defenseman Jake Walman and forward Christian Fischer were both minus-three on the night, with five other players registering a minus-two. Of the 18 players on the ice for Detroit, 11 managed just one shot on goal or fewer.
Facing this challenging situation, Larkin expressed uncertainty about the team’s next steps to break free from this slump. “We’ve tried various approaches in the past couple of weeks – different line combinations, coaching adjustments, motivational talks. But it has to come from within the room,” he explained. “Every player needs to step up. It might sound like a cliché, but tonight made it abundantly clear that every guy has to be better.”
One bright spot for the Red Wings was left-winger Patrick Kane, who contributed a goal and an assist, earning his third and fourth points in the last two games. Defenseman Olli Maatta also added a positive note by scoring his first goal of the season.
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