Detroit Red Wings wheels fall off in 5-2 loss to Jets

The Detroit Red Wings were in Winnipeg on Wednesday and aimed to snap a stretch of rough games. Unfortunately, that did not happen. The Red Wings were beaten up on pretty badly by the Jets. At least this time, it was not physical. Detroit's had its fair share of injury issues, even trickling into the net with their goaltenders.

In a game where the Detroit Red Wings were without Ville Husso and Alex Lyon going in, the expectations may have needed to be higher, but things continued to be problematic. The Red Wings rode with James Reimer between the pipes after signing Michael Hutchinson to serve as Reimer's backup.

However, even with Husso or Lyon in net, I'm not sure that it would have made the difference. Detroit left Reimer out to dry time and time again. It was a problematic performance from the Red Wings in front of Reimer. The defense core continues to look lost and missed defensive responsibilities left and right.

Jets players were left out in front several times. Nikolaj Ehlers and Mark Scheifele both scored goals where they were left open out in front of the net, completely untouched. While Moritz Seider usually goes without criticism, he was to blame for the Gabriel Vilardi goal, where Vilardi released from him and was wide open for the tally.

Detroit Red Wings level of play was abysmal in loss to Jets.

Overall, the tune of the game was players not being positioned and being unable to play the transition game and break out the puck. Detroit looked disheveled all over the ice tonight. Sure, they tallied two goals, but this 5-2 loss felt like a 10-0 loss. At least after the rough start against Anaheim, it felt like Detroit might claw back into it. Even though they did not, there was a glimmer of hope.

Detroit even had a few chances on the powerplay, but neither time saw them score. Both times, they seemed a bit flat-footed in the offensive zone while on the attack. They were seemingly waiting for something to happen rather than forcing the scoring chances. The powerplay has been able to get it done this year, even with some inconsistency at times. Overall, it has not been a problem as it has been in years past.

However, the problem continues to lie with issues in the defensive zone. The defensemen are abysmal down low and need help to get the puck out of the zone. The wingers need to facilitate the breakout better. Then, if Detroit breaks it out, they carry the puck into the offensive zone and tend to lose it almost immediately or lose the puck battles down low.

If they can get set up, they are forcing scoring chances in the middle of the ice, but everything leading up to that point is a problem at times. Something has to give. Detroit has to snap out of this funk and get back on track. If they want to start winning games again, they have to help out their lackluster netminders between the pipes while Husso & Lyon are out.