3 Takeaways From the Detroit Red Wings Overtime Loss to the Washington Capitals
By Daniel Garza
It was one of those losses that should have ended differently, however, the Detroit Red Wings were unable to end their two-game skid on Friday night.
A frustrating and disappointing end to an important three-game stretch was not the type of result that is going to keep the Red Wings in the playoff hunt this season. Here are three takeaways from the overtime loss to the Washington Capitals.
#3 Tatar Gets Going
Two goals on Friday night from Tomas Tatar was one of the positive takeaways from the loss. The Slovak scored for the second consecutive game and gave the Wings an offensive lift in a game they desperately needed someone to step up in.
#2 Losing the Special Team Battle
Both teams had five power plays and the Capitals scored on two of their man-advantages and added a shorthanded goal in the third. The Wings had one goal on the man-advantage and also had a shorthanded goal.
The all-important goal came on the power play for the Caps in overtime as Alex Ovechkin blasted a shot past Petr Mrazek for one of his signature power play goals. All-in-all, the last two penalties of the game cost the Red Wings two points.
A shorthanded goal in Monday’s loss also doomed the Red Wings and proved to be costly down the stretch. The power play is doing better but it is certainly not at its full potential and working order.
#1 Tough Results
Three losses from the first three games of the week will certainly not do any good for morale. All three opponents in this three-game stretch are among the best teams in the Eastern Conference and to not take a single win does not bode well.
Although it is still early, this week looked a lot like what was commonplace last season. A loss against the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday would be a devasting result, which makes it a must win, especially with it being at Little Caesars Arena.
Next week does not promise to be any better and the Wings will have plenty of competition on the horizon, including a rematch with the Tampa Bay Lightning this coming Thursday. A big losing streak here could set the Wings up for trouble down the line.