Solid October doesn’t magically solidify Red Wings’ future concerns

Lack Of Discipline Proves Costly For Red Wings

A glaring issue has emerged over the last week of play. Taking penalties late in games is one of the hallmarks of a bad NHL team, and it’s been a real issue for Detroit. On October 24, the Red Wings led the Seattle Kraken in the third period. Two needless infractions allowed Seattle to tie the contest up late, and they’d eventually go on to secure the extra point in overtime. That’s a winnable game that simply needed to be iced with five minutes remaining. Detroit couldn’t find the handle, however.

Four days later, David Pastrnak was slashed on a breakaway late in the third period of a one-goal game. The Boston Bruins’ best player made no mistake with the ensuing penalty shot, putting the Red Wings’ comeback hopes on the ice for good. Another penalty stripped Detroit of a possible point in the standings — against an Atlantic Division rival, no less.

Then, on October 30, the New York Islanders were on the ropes when another late tripping penalty allowed them to get back into the contest. The Red Wings had rallied in the third period, but the stick infraction forced them to secure the win in overtime. An overtime that very easily could have gone the other way, based on how Ilya Sorokin had been performing.

All told, Detroit has taken late penalties in three of ten games and has lost themselves two points in the standings because of it. This is a really, really bad habit that Derek Lalonde needs to erase, and quickly.