Red Wings Offense and Power Play Go Cold in 4-0 Loss

The Detroit Red Wings power play and offense went ice cold in their season finale with the Chicago Blackhawks. After a great showing Thursday night, the Red Wings lost 4-0 to Chicago Saturday night.

The first period was not a terrible one for Detroit. Although the Red Wings showed confidence in the offensive zone and outshot their opponent 10-6, a defensive lapse led to a 1-0 Blackhawks lead through the first twenty.  The power play looked  shaky, to say the least, failing to cash in on two attempts.

The bleeding continued in the second period for Detroit. The Blackhawks cashed in on yet another defensive lapse to secure a 2-0 points, and the Red Wings failed on yet another power play attempt.

The Wings offense completely fell apart in the third. To make matters worse for the Red Wings offense, the Blackhawks extended their lead less than two minutes into the period. The failure to create any real offensive chances was exemplified during a five on three power play just over halfway through the period. Detroit not only failed to score, but only notched one shot on goal. Following the failure to score, the Wings offense was clearly demoralized, and Chicago iced the game with an empty netter, leading 4-0.

Detroit ended up failing to score on their five power play chances, and the Hawks capitalized and kept their playoff hopes alive.

Game Notes

• Frans Nielsen left the game in the second period, and did not return to the ice.
• Dennis Cholowski continues to struggle in the NHL, looking lost on the ice during the Wings defeat. On the flipside, Gustav Lindstrom actually has shown the opposite,  performing with confidence, crisp passes and staying competent defensively.
• Statistically, it was a rough game for goaltender Jonathan Bernier (.862 save percentage). However, the goals were not a result of poor goaltending, but due to poor defense and turnovers.
• Although the Red Wings power play was horrendous, the penalty kill remains surprisingly solid. Detroit killed both power play attempts by the Hawks.