Red Wings experienced a bad start that they wanted to avoid

DETROIT – As the Detroit Red Wings flirt with a nightmarish start to the 2024-25 NHL season, the message is simply that they need to wake up.

Despite training camp emphasizing better defense, the Red Wings have conceded four or more goals in three of their first four games. They lost 5-2 to the New York Rangers on Thursday and fell 3-1 before Saturday afternoon’s game in Nashville.

“Playing on our own field, defending the rush, handling things when we get back on our own field, those are all things we work on every day,” Detroit defenseman Ben Chiarot said. “It’s obviously still very early in the season, but these are things we need to continue to work on and continue to improve. Those are the most important things for us at the moment.”

They gave up three power play goals, two from Artemi Panarin, to the Rangers. They were down 5-1 at 12-20 and goalie Cam Talbot wasn’t the problem. Coach Derek Lalonde pulled him hoping to get a spark.

“This game got away from us on special teams,” Lalonde said.

The Rangers were 3 of 4 on the power play, the Red Wings were 1 of 6. They are 2-16 this season, and it’s hard not to believe that’s partly because point man Shayne Gostisbehere last left via free agency this summer. Additionally, Detroit lost 18 power play goals from players who left the team through free agency or trades.

Punishments hurt

New York led 2-1 in the second period after Moritz Seider scored 1:27 into the second period. Then Jonathan Berggren went to the penalty box for a catch and Vincent Trocheck scored a power play goal. Then Erik Gustafsson is whistled for high sticking and Panarin scores his third goal of the game (and his second power play). Now it’s 4:1. 38 seconds later it is 5:1.

Gustafsson returned to the lineup after being a healthy substitute for two games.

“I would have to look back at the penalties,” Lalonde said. “I don’t know if they stood out. I don’t like holding the stick because that ultimately results in a turnover. And then there is always an expanded D-zone. In the second half we are 2-1. We push, it feels really good. And then we take a penalty. So it’s 3:1 and 4:1. It’s the game. “

The Red Wings were outscored 15-6 in their three losses. Each defeat was a little different, but the common thread is poor execution of their goals.

“I think defense is where it’s going to start,” said Detroit center JT Compher, who scored one of Detroit’s goals. “And we have a lot of guys in our locker room that can score.”

Scoring was also a problem at the start of the season. They have now scored nine goals in four games. A points average of 2.25 will not advance a team to the playoffs.

“It’s about how we defend,” Chiarot said, “and I think the rest will take care of itself. “The goals and everything else will somehow come from good defense and getting the puck back.”