Detroit Red Wings Beyond The Goal: Shaky D-Zone Gives Sharks Win
If there’s such a thing as a satisfying loss, the Detroit Red Wings were the example in their 3-2 defeat at the hands of the San Jose Sharks on Friday night.
According to the possession numbers, it was in fact their best performance of the season. It’s no secret that the Red Wings have struggled to create scoring opportunities and get pucks to the net, but they turned the tables against San Jose. With an SAT% of 69.35 and a USAT% of 64.58, they should’ve added two points in the standings.
But shot attempts and opportunities don’t always equal goals scored, and the Red Wings struggled to do just that against the Sharks. And worse, Jimmy Howard gave up three goals on just 14 shots.
Lets take a closer look at the five goals in this game.
Detroit Red Wings: Tomas Tatar (4)
Assists: Dylan Larkin (7), Niklas Kronwall (6)
Time: 3:13 1st Period
Score: 1-0 DET
This play starts with a tremendous play from Niklas Kronwall in the defensive zone. He makes a quick little tip pass to Dylan Larkin to start the rush and beat the forecheck. It’s a great read by Kronwall, and great puck support from the rookie center.
As the rush develops, Larkin does what he does best—using his speed through the neutral zone to drive the San Jose defensemen back into their own zone. This is becoming a common theme, and what a beautiful thing it is to watch.
Once Larkin enters the zone, both defensemen are forced to protect the middle of the ice, opening up the outside lanes. Tomas Tatar receives the pass and fires a laser beam into the far-side corner to beat Martin Jones and get the Red Wings on the board.
The finish from Tatar was great to see, but this goal was a direct result of Larkin’s speed. You should get used to hearing that.
San Jose Sharks: Melker Karlsson (1)
Assists: Joe Thornton (9), Matt Tennyson (2)
Time: 7:41 1st Period
Score: 1-1 Tied
The knock against Mike Green has always been his play in the defensive zone, and this goal is an example of why. As Joe Thornton circles behind the net, Green is blatantly “puck watching” and has no idea what’s coming behind him. Green drifts towards the side of the net to help Drew Miller with Thornton. In doing so, he leaves Karlsson open at the side of the goal.
If Green gets his head around and is aware of who else is joining the rush, he likely prevents any opportunity for Karlsson.
Of course, there are a few other things we could talk about here as well. First, this is a bad goal for Howard, which he acknowledged to the media following the game. Second, why in the hell is Joe Thornton on a semi-breakaway against Drew Miller as both defensemen are caught up ice?
Still, this could’ve been prevented if Green identified his man on the rush.
San Jose Sharks: Matt Nieto (3)
Assists: Brenden Dillon (2), Marc-Edouard Vlassic (5)
Time: 17:52 1st Period
Score: 2-1 SJS
Again, bad defensive-zone coverage by the Red Wings led to another Sharks goal. This time, it was the dependable Niklas Kronwall with the mistake.
As Nieto moves behind the net, Kronwall releases his coverage. Either he was hoping for a switch in coverage with Green, or he was planning to cut in front of the net and pick up Nieto on the opposite side of the ice. Neither happened, and Nieto was left all alone on the doorstep to give San Jose the lead.
Also, did Howard look slow going post-to-post or what? He was late and almost gave up the wrap-around goal. Even after that, Howard is sprawled out and the entire top of the net is open for Nieto.
San Jose Sharks: Joe Pavelski (9)
Assists: Paul Martin (3), Justin Braun (5)
Time: 10:23 2nd Period
Score: 3-1 SJS
Sometimes you just have to tip your cap and acknowledge a great offensive play. Joe Pavelski’s tip was one of those situations. Paul Martin’s shot from the point was going wide, but Pavelski used the shaft of his stick to tip it right around Howard.
Still, the coverage could’ve been better. So, who was covering Pavelski?
The San Jose forward came from the high slot, where he was being watched by Teemu Pulkkinen. However, the pass across the blue line meant Pulkkinen had to get out to his point and cover the defenseman. As Pavelski moves low towards the net, he skates right past Niklas Kronwall.
I don’t like picking on our number-one defenseman, but this was loose coverage at best. It would’ve taken one step towards Pavelski and a strong stick to take away any tip opportunity. Instead, it looked like Kronwall was a bit hesitant for whatever reason.
No matter how skilled the finish, it was bad defensive-zone coverage that created a scoring chance for the Sharks. Yet another goal that could have been prevented.
Detroit Red Wings: Teemu Pulkkinen (5)
Assists: Jakub Kindl (3), Tomas Tatar (7)
Time: 18:08 3rd Period
Score: 3-2 SJS
How many times have we seen Pulkkinen miss the net with that vicious one-timer this season? Well, he did it again on this play, but got a lucky deflection that ended up in the back of the net.
It was all out desperation, and Jakub Kindl did a nice job settling down a bouncing puck before sliding it into Pulkinnen’s wheelhouse. As always, traffic in front of any goaltender can create problems, and the Red Wings did a nice job creating commotion.
When you put pucks on net, good things tend to happen.