DETROIT — The Detroit Red Wings were aware that the 2024-25 season would kick off with a tough challenge.
The NHL schedule, released during the summer, revealed a daunting opening stretch for Detroit. It began with an early matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins, another team vying for the playoffs, followed by two games against the reigning Presidents’ Trophy champions, the New York Rangers. There were also two additional contests against a Nashville Predators squad that had become a favorite in the offseason. It was clear from the start that they faced an uphill battle.
However, after four games, the tough reality is striking Detroit hard. The Red Wings have suffered defeats in three of their first four games, each by a margin of three goals. The painful reality is that the most pressing issues during this early slump have been glaringly obvious.
“Clearly, it’s our play in our own end,” Ben Chiarot remarked following Detroit’s 5-2 defeat at home against the Rangers on Thursday night. “Defending against the rush and getting organized when we’re returning to our own zone are critical. These are aspects we focus on daily. … Right now, the most crucial factor for us is how we defend; I believe the rest will follow. If we defend well and regain possession, the goals will come naturally.”
It’s still early in the season, and it’s important to emphasize that. The Red Wings are currently 1-3, with two of those losses inflicted by one of the league’s best teams. There’s plenty of hockey still ahead.
Throughout the preseason, the team stressed the necessity of bolstering their defensive play. This message was consistently repeated during the last offseason and on the first day of training camp.
Yet, aside from the shutout victory against the Predators, this emphasis has not been effectively translated into consistent gameplay as the season begins.
“It’s not a situation where you can just flip a switch,” Chiarot explained. “It’s not merely about understanding the structure. We have many offensive-minded players who are eager to create scoring opportunities. Convincing these players to commit to defensive responsibilities requires time and effort. It’s a process that we’re currently navigating. Teams often speak about the need to embrace what the coaches are teaching, and we are in that phase right now. This transformation doesn’t happen overnight — it requires time and lessons like tonight’s to prompt immediate change.”
Chiarot’s observation regarding the Red Wings’ offensive-minded players is particularly noteworthy.
Detroit is frequently described as a team that lacks elite skill, and there’s some validity to this when compared to the league’s top teams. They do not possess a Connor McDavid or a Cale Makar, nor have they for quite some time.
Nonetheless, the team boasts talented players. Dylan Larkin has netted over 30 goals in four different seasons. Alex DeBrincat has achieved the 40-goal mark twice. Lucas Raymond recorded over 70 points last season and seems poised to elevate his performance even further. Patrick Kane is widely recognized as one of the premier offensive talents of his generation.
When positioned in the offensive zone, these players have the potential to inflict significant damage. However, to unlock this capability, the Red Wings need to improve their defensive game sufficiently to regain puck possession.
“There’s no doubt about the offensive potential in our room,” J.T. Compher stated. “Defending is where everything will begin and be most crucial.”
Last season, defensive struggles were a frequent issue, leaving the Red Wings to rely on high-scoring games. As a result, they narrowly missed making the playoffs.
Yet, when general manager Steve Yzerman approached the offseason, he made minimal roster adjustments to address these concerns. After offensive-minded defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere departed in free agency, Detroit brought in Erik Gustafsson, another similar player who has already found himself scratched twice this season. They added a new defensively-oriented forward, Tyler Motte, but he hasn’t been utilized prominently enough in the lineup to effect a significant change. The Red Wings did acquire a stronger top-nine scoring forward in Vladimir Tarasenko, but the overall impact remains to be seen.
asenko — at the cost of losing a weighty top-nine forward in David Perron, who served as one of the team’s core leaders over the past two seasons.
On paper, when the dust settled from the Red Wings’ offseason, it appeared that not much had changed.
And so far, on the ice, it seems to reflect the same sentiment.
Dylan Larkin and the other members of Detroit’s top six are offensively skilled, yet the team lacks sufficient defensive forwards to provide balance. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)
It’s still early in the 82-game season. On Thursday night, as Coach Derek Lalonde pointed out, special teams were the main issue in their latest lopsided loss. The Rangers capitalized on their first three power-play opportunities, quickly taking a 4-1 lead by the second period’s midpoint. Soon after, it was 5-1.
“We became sluggish on (the penalty kill),” said Lalonde. “When you lose confidence in your penalty kill, you tend to hesitate and lose your rhythm. Credit to them, they scored three goals from the point, but they managed to get a stick on the puck. It’s a straightforward power play, considering how skilled they are.”
Following the Rangers’ fifth goal, which came from a point shot by rookie defenseman Victor Mancini, the Red Wings decided to pull starter Cam Talbot, who had previously achieved a shutout against Nashville last weekend. This marked the second time in four games that Detroit had to replace a goalie mid-game, as Talbot had previously stepped in for Ville Husso during the season opener.
While goaltending often intertwines with defensive play, this position has also been a source of uncertainty throughout the preseason. Last season, Detroit managed three goalies and began this year with the same approach. There has never been a definitive go-to option, providing little in-game flexibility for any of the three.
Thus, even though it’s early in the season and more favorable days surely lie ahead for the Red Wings in 2024-25, it’s difficult not to notice the familiar issues that are already surfacing during this initial stretch.
The schedule is set to lighten soon — though not right away, as they face challenging matchups against Nashville, the New York Islanders, and the New Jersey Devils in the upcoming games.
After suffering three losses in their first four games, the Red Wings risk putting themselves in an early deficit.
“We have a lot of work to do,” remarked Chiarot. “Thankfully, it’s early in the season, allowing us to learn our lessons early on instead of later.”
(Top photo: Rick Osentoski / Imagn Images)
Red Wings Face Early Season Struggles: Defensive Woes and Special Teams Misfires Haunt Detroit
Understanding the Early Season Challenges
The Detroit Red Wings have found themselves grappling with a series of early season struggles, primarily revolving around their defensive strategies and special teams performance. These issues not only impact their standings in the NHL but also raise concerns among fans and analysts alike regarding the team’s ability to compete effectively in a highly competitive league.
Defensive Woes: A Closer Look
One of the most glaring issues for the Red Wings has been their defensive play. The team’s defensive line has struggled to maintain consistency, leading to numerous goals against. Key factors contributing to these woes include:
- Inexperience: A younger roster means less experience in high-pressure situations, often resulting in bad decisions under duress.
- Injuries: The absence of veteran defensemen has placed additional strain on the remaining players, creating gaps that opponents are quick to exploit.
- Miscommunication: Frequent miscommunication among defensemen has led to breakdowns, allowing for easy scoring opportunities for rival teams.
Statistical Overview of Defensive Performance
To truly understand the gravity of their defensive struggles, let’s take a look at some key statistics from the current season:
| Statistic | Current Season | Last Season |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Against per Game | 3.67 | 2.89 |
| Power Play Goals Against | 15 | 10 |
| Shots Allowed per Game | 30.5 | 28.2 |
Special Teams Misfires: A Major Concern
Another critical area where the Red Wings are falling short is in their special teams play. Both the power play and penalty kill units have been underperforming, leading to missed opportunities and costly penalties. The implications of this are significant:
Power Play Performance
Currently, the Red Wings’ power play is struggling to convert chances into goals. With a conversion rate below 15%, this is one of the lowest in the league. Key issues include:
- Lack of Chemistry: The current lines do not seem to gel well together, leading to ineffective puck movement.
- Predictability: Opponents have easily adapted to the Red Wings’ power play strategies, making it easy to anticipate and counter.
Penalty Kill Challenges
On the flip side, the penalty kill unit has also been less than stellar, allowing opponents to score on over 25% of their power play chances. Contributing factors include:
- Slow Reaction Times: Players have shown a tendency to react slowly when facing pressure, leading to open shooting lanes for opponents.
- Positioning Errors: Poor positioning during penalty kills has exacerbated the situation, leaving players out of position to block shots and clear the zone.
Case Studies: Recent Games Highlighting These Issues
Several recent matches have showcased these struggles in real-time. Here are a few notable examples:
Game Against the Toronto Maple Leafs
In a tightly contested game against the Maple Leafs, the Red Wings allowed three goals in the first period alone, primarily due to defensive lapses and lackluster penalty kills. Despite a strong offensive showing, the inability to capitalize on power play opportunities ultimately cost them the game.
Matchup with the Tampa Bay Lightning
In a more recent matchup, the Red Wings faced the Lightning and allowed a staggering four power play goals. The lack of effective communication on the ice was evident and led to several easy scoring chances for Tampa Bay.
Benefits of Addressing Defensive and Special Teams Issues
Improving the Red Wings’ defensive play and special teams performance can lead to numerous benefits:
- Increased Winning Percentage: Solidifying defense and special teams can directly enhance overall team performance and win rates.
- Boosted Team Morale: A successful run can lift team spirits, encouraging players to perform better individually and collectively.
- Enhanced Fan Engagement: Winning games often leads to increased support from fans, creating a more vibrant home game atmosphere.
Practical Tips for Improvement
For the coaching staff and players, here are some practical strategies to consider for improving defensive play and special teams:
For Defensive Play
- Establish Clear Communication: Create language or signals that players can use to communicate effectively during games.
- Focus on Fundamentals: Regular drills that emphasize basic defensive positioning and coverage can help mitigate mistakes.
For Special Teams
- Stick to the Basics: Simplifying power play strategies can lead to more effective execution.
- Review Game Film: Analyzing past games can reveal patterns and mistakes that need to be addressed during practice.
First-Hand Experience: Insights from the Players
Several players have shared insights into the ongoing struggles:
Player Perspectives
- Defenseman Moritz Seider: “We need to tighten up our defensive zone coverage. It’s just about playing smart hockey and making the right reads.”
- Forward Dylan Larkin: “Our power play needs to be more dynamic. We can’t be predictable; we need to keep the defense guessing.”
Conclusion
The Detroit Red Wings are currently facing significant challenges at the beginning of the season, with defensive woes and special teams misfires plaguing their performance. By addressing these issues through communication, strategic adjustments, and focused training, the team has an opportunity to turn their season around and regain their competitive edge in the NHL.
