Detroit Red Wings slow start leads to another one goal loss

DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 22: Goaltender Jonathan Bernier #45 of the Detroit Red Wings stretches across the net as Marcus Foligno #17 of the Minnesota Wild follows the puck with Filip Hronek #17 of the Wings during an NHL game at Little Caesars Arena on February 22, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 22: Goaltender Jonathan Bernier #45 of the Detroit Red Wings stretches across the net as Marcus Foligno #17 of the Minnesota Wild follows the puck with Filip Hronek #17 of the Wings during an NHL game at Little Caesars Arena on February 22, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Detroit Red Wings started the game flat-footed.  Perhaps they were looking for their old friend Nick Jensen?  Whatever it was the team once again were unable to start on time.  Wings fall 3-2 to the Minnesota Wild.

Earlier in the day Ken Holland and the Detroit Red Wings sent Nick Jensen to the Washington Capitals along with a fifth-round pick they acquired from Buffalo last season.  They received 23-year-old defenseman Madison Bowey and a future second-round draft pick in 2020.

That doesn’t explain the slow starts all season long, but maybe tonight they were a little bit flustered by losing a teammate, then again these guys are pro’s, they need to be ready to play when the puck is dropped, and for whatever reason, they never seem to be.  This is one thing Jeff Blashill, and his staff have needed to improve for the better of the season, yet have failed to correct.

The Minnesota Wild played the New York Rangers in New York last evening; it should be the Wild struggling to find their legs. Typically when teams play back to back games, as the contest progresses their legs get heavy, sort of like skating with sandbags attached to your legs.  Tonight for the better part of two periods it was the Detroit Red Wings who looked as though they played last night.

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The Wild jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period.  It was a very ugly first for the Wings, one of their worst periods of the year and they were fortunate to only be down 2-0.  Niklas Kronwall and Mike Green both had ugly evenings.

The pair struggled in the defensive zone with defensive coverage and turnovers.  Kronwall had a shift in the first period where he turned the puck over multiple times, and as Mike Green failed to clear the zone, Luke Kunin deposited into the Wings goal.  The pair would be on the ice for both first period goals, and both finished the night -2.  Kronwall did have a nice Kronwalled” hit as he caught Marcus Foligno.

The Wings had a better second period, but that isn’t saying much for how bad the first was.  Tyler Bertuzzi tipped home a Filip Hronek point shot to get the Wings back within one shot early in the second period.  It was a dazzling redirection by Bertuzzi.  Eric Staal answered with his first goal in his last 11 games.  It was a mad scramble in front of the net as the Wild were on the power-play, Staal got it to go as Bernier crouched hopeless searching for the loose puck.

The Detroit Red Wings earned a power-play tally of their own.  Anthony Mantha remained red hot; he ripped a shot past the Wild netminder from the top of the right circle.  It drew the Wings to within one shot once again, but they were unable to find the tying goal.  The Wings lose 3-2 to the Minnesota Wild.

Next. Wings Trade Nick Jensen To Washington Capitals. dark

Notes: Jimmy Howard missed tonight’s game with the flu.  He was unable to serve as Jonathan Bernier‘s backup.  The Wings recalled Harri Satarri to be the backup tonight.  Dylan Larkin recorded 2 assists tonight, and so did Filip Hronek.  Hronek was very impressive tonight paired with Danny DeKeyser.  Hronek played 19:37 and was a plus one.  The Wings are back at it Sunday afternoon when they host the San Jose Sharks at 3:00 pm.