Red Wings cannot beat New Jersey Devils

The Red Wings worked like a light switch today. They were in action in the first half of the period and allowed New Jersey to score two goals in the last ten minutes of the first two periods. Costly errors and the team’s abysmal penalty kill played a role, but the main reason for the Red Wings’ loss to New Jersey was their inability to finish the game. In a game that was supposed to test whether or not the Red Wings could keep up with the big boys, they fell far behind. The score was 5-4, but the game never felt as close after the second half.

The devil is in the details

The Red Wings didn’t play a full period of hockey tonight. Justin Holl was called for hooking and Vladimir Tarasenko was called for delay of game, which directly led to New Jersey’s power play goals. In the case of Holl’s penalty, Dougie Hamilton needed less than ten seconds to find the net and bring the Devils within a point. Timo Meier scored after a delay in the game served by Tarasenko and tied the game at 2-2 with 2:00 minutes left in the first period.

Detroit took the lead again early in the second period after Ben Chiarot fired a shot from the blue line and received the tip-in from Tyler Motte to put Detroit back ahead 3-2.

Nico Hischier made up for a mistake in the Detroit coverage and peppered Cam Talbot with shots with 8:50 left. Stefan Noesen would take advantage of the Devils’ quick attack and there was no red sweater in sight to help Talbot clear the puck and make it 4-3. Chiarot would score a high stick, leaving the Red Wings shorthanded for the first four minutes of the third period. Jack Hughes extended New Jersey’s lead to 5-3 after three minutes. An improbable jump shot from Justin Holl gave the Red Wings their fourth goal of the night. Ultimately, however, it wasn’t enough. The Devils dominated the rest of the period and the game.

Motte said: “Especially in the first third we had the opportunity to get a really good first third with the lead, but we didn’t manage to do that.”

Heat up

Detroit’s much-maligned forward core is starting to heat up, at least on paper. Tarasenko started the scoring with an early power play goal off an assist from Jeff Petry. Lucas Raymond’s attempt to get the puck behind Jacob Markstrom’s shin pad didn’t quite work. But a deflection into a New Jersey player in front of the net and Dylan Larkin flying in from the blind side got the job done. Despite having the highest point total on the team, Raymond had a slow start to the season. However, Raymond has scored one goal in the last five games. Detroit needs more than a handful of its top-six forwards to score, but consistency from the top will ease some of the pressure. Tarasenko’s goal and the return of Patrick Kane should help.

Quick Hits-

-Tonight was the 500th Talbot game. To celebrate the occasion, players wore customized jerseys with the goalkeeper’s face on them. The goalie now has a career record of 251-181-44.

-Tyler Motte and Justin Holl had their first goals of the season. It was also Motte’s first appearance as a Red Wing.

-Jeff Petry briefly went to the locker room after blocking a shot with his leg early in the third period. However, the experienced defender returned in the third pair. Coach Lalonde said: “Petry left for a while but he’s come back so hopefully that’s a good sign.”