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Detroit Red Wings weekly: Difficult bunch to figure out

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The Detroit Red Wings (4-2-2) had a roller-coaster of a week going (1-1-1).

At the forefront has to be the quick-strike 4-3 comeback victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. But, in the back of everyone’s mind, it’s impossible to forget the two devastating collapses against the Montreal Canadians and Philadelphia Flyers.

Getting things started in my Wings’ weekly is the good and the bad from the week that was.

The Plus/Minus

+ Resilience

The buzz word in the locker room following Thursday’s win over the Penguins was resilience. For 57 minutes the Wings were outplayed on home ice. There was no energy, no hustle, and no urgency.

Then this happened.

They fought back. Finally a few lucky bounces went their way and they took advantage.

Games like these give me hope that the Wings still have that mental toughness needed to be a Stanley Cup contender and not just bystanders in the playoffs like they were last season.

– Closing up Shop

Winning when it looks unlikely happens far less often than losing games that should have been won. This week was a prime example. The Wings dropped three points they should have had and gained two points they shouldn’t have.

In this case the numbers don’t lie. The Wings have a convincing 8 goals in the third period and overtime. In the first and second period combined they have let in the same amount, 8 goals. That’s the problem in a nut shell.

Three Stars of the Week

*** Drew Miller

The superstars always get the spotlight, so it’s time to give a role player some well need recognition.

Miller gets the third star over Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk even though the penalty killers allowed their first goal on Saturday. I can’t even image what the Wings record would look like if the PK unit led by Miller didn’t start the season going 25/25.

** Justin Abdelkader

Abby gets some of the credit for the success of the penalty kill but, in all honesty, he only gets the 2nd star for being at the right place at the right time to generate this week’s highlight of the week (below).

* Niklas Kronwall

Kronwall has 6 points this season after his 3-point performance against the Penguins. That’s 2nd most on the team with only Zetterberg having more at 10. In addition the Wings defense ranks 8th in the NHL by giving up an average of 2 goals per game.

You really can’t ask for anything more out of Nicklas Lidstrom’s replacement.

Highlight of the Week: (10/23 Vs. Pittsburgh Penguins) Justin Abdelkader

Upcoming Schedule

October 29: @ Washington Capitals

7:30 p.m. EST on NBC Sports

Standings: (4-1-2) 2nd Metropolitan Division, 4th Eastern Conference

Last Meeting against the Red Wings: Feb. 2, 2014 at Washington/Capitals 6 – Red Wings 5 in OT

Key to Victory

  • Generate Offense

The Wings are averaging 2.25 goals per game. That’s 5th worst in the NHL and definably not enough to beat Alexander Ovechkin’s Capitals. After the demise in Philadelphia and Mike Babcock still changing the lines up every period, I can’t see the Wings getting back on track for this game with it being in Washington.

Don’t get me wrong. The Wings are skating well; they just can’t seem to find the back of the net.

My Prediction: Capitals 3 – Red Wings 0.

October 31: Vs. Los Angeles Kings

los angeles kings
Jeff Carter leads the Kings with 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists) which is tied for 2nd most in the NHL behind Tyler Seguin (13).

7:30 p.m. EST on Fox Sports Detroit

Standings: (5-1-1) 2nd Pacific Division, 3rd Western Conference

Last Meeting against the Red Wings: Jan. 18, 2014 at Detroit/Red Wings 3 – Kings 2 in a shootout

Key to Victory

  • Trick or Treat

It’s the Halloween special against the defending Stanley Cup champions.

The Wings will get the win by either pulling out a few tricks and dangles with the playmakers or the Kings have an off-game and hand them a treat. I expect a combination of both and the Wings pull out the shocker.

My Prediction: Red Wings 4 – Kings 3.

November 2: @ Buffalo Sabres

5 p.m. EST on Fox Sports Detroit

Standings: (2-7-0) 8th Atlantic Division, 15th Eastern Conference

Last Meeting against the Red Wings: Apr. 8, 2014 at Buffalo/Sabres 2 – Red Wings 4

 Key to Victory

  • Don’t Overlook Anybody

The Sabres are off to a slow start with a young, rebuilding team. But, it doesn’t mean they can’t stir pot because Saturday night they knockout off the San Jose Sharks for their 2nd win of the season.

For the Wings this also opens up a 3-game road trip. They have to take it one game at a time and don’t leave points on the table. This is the NHL; any team can win on any given night.

My Prediction: Sabres 2 – Red Wings 3.

Prediction Evaluation

I was a miserable 0 for 3 with my picks last week which evens out my season total to 4-4. I’m hoping for a quick turnaround of luck in these next three games as I haven’t been that far off with my picks.

To this point I have projected the Wings to have 9 points. They have 10. With that in mind, I’m going to be a bit more optimistic and hoping they get at least 4 out the 6 possible points this week.

Final Thought

Momentum is swinging around like a pendulum at the moment. While it’s entertaining to watch a come from behind victory, it’s just as annoying to throwaway winnable games late in the 3rd period.

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Read more Red Wings rumors, news and opinion on our Detroit Red Wings page.

The post Detroit Red Wings weekly: Difficult bunch to figure out appeared first on isportsweb.


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