The Detroit Red Wings aspire to embark on a transformative voyage to California.
Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks will mark the beginning of a three-game road journey through the state for the Red Wings, who are seeking a turnaround.
The Red Wings were in a strong position to end their seven-year streak without a Stanley Cup playoff berth after a respectable first two dozen games of the season. However, they travel to San Jose on a 3-9-1 skid.
Sunday’s 5-3 home setback to the Boston Bruins marked the third loss in four games for Detroit.
defenseman Ben Chiaro mentioned that it was undoubtedly frustrating since otheir previous contest (a 5-4 overtime triumph over the Nashville Predators), their objective was to generate some momentum in preparation for an extensive road journey. He believed that travelling would be beneficial for them.
The Red Wings made a 2-0 comeback against Boston; however, they were unable to retain the game in the third period. They relinquished two unused netters during their travels.
“This was a lost opportunity,” stated head coach Derek Lalonde. “From beginning to end, this was arguably our most comprehensive sixty minutes in a while; however, it was against a team that requires a narrow margin of error in order to achieve success.”
Alex DeBrincat has accumulated ten points, two goals, and an assist during a five-game point streak.
Unusually, the Red Wings’ troubles over the previous thirteen contests coincide with the signing of Patrick Kane, a free agent acquisition who debuted against the Sharks on December 7. Kane, whose six-game point streak was halted in regulation against the Bruins, has contributed to the Red Wings with six goals and thirteen points.
The Sharks begin a three-game homestand following a New Year’s Eve loss to the Colorado Avalanche (3-1). The last-place team in the league, San Jose, has suffered its eighth consecutive loss and has been outscored 36-11 during that stretch.
Goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen mentioned that they simply needed to find ways to win, and that’s how successful teams operate. He believed it was a step in the right direction in many respects, excluding the score. It may not have been consistently tidy.
With four minutes remaining, the Sharks and Avalanche were deadlocked 1-1; however, a late game-winning goal and empty-net tally sealed their fate.
Coach David Quinn remarked, “Among the things I admired was how aggressively we defended, and unfortunately, we defended a great deal.” “However, I was quite fond of our structure.” I believed that we were aggressive. I believed we possessed a physical quality. They were limited to 33 attempts, and I believe they had no more than ten opportunities to score after two periods.
“I could not be more proud of our team—given the youth of our defence corps—for enduring this opponent.
That corpse may have unfortunately sustained another blow to the Sharks. An upper-body injury befell Mario Ferraro in Denver, the leader of the Sharks in average ice time. Key forwards Nico Sturm and Logan Couture are also absent from San Jose, in addition to defensemen Matt Benning and Jacob MacDonald.