Tempe, Arizona − No team wants to fall behind in a hockey game early, but the Red Wings have made it a habit of it lately.
On occasion, they’ve been able to overcome the deficits with dramatic, unexpected comebacks. But it’s not a formula for sustained success, and the for the most part, the Wings have paid for their slow starts.
In the 10 games the Wings have played since the Christmas, five times they’ve trailed by two goals or more.
Monday in Denver was the latest hole to dig out of, as the Wings fell behind 2-0. By the halfway mark of the second period, it had become 5-0, on the way to a 6-3 loss.
It was the latest in a string of difficult starts.
The Wings trailed 4-0 to Pittsburgh (but did rally to win 5-4 in overtime), and 3-0 to Buffalo the very next evening (eventually losing 6-3). The Wings fell behind 2-0 to Ottawa (rallied to win 4-2) and fell behind 3-0 to Columbus before losing 4-3.
So, there is the fact the Wings have made some impressive comebacks and earned points in the standings in some of the exciting come from behinds.
But there have been losses, also. And in the long run, a team isn’t going to rally that often, especially rallying from such large deficits.
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“Chasing games against elite (teams), you’re going to give up some things in transition,” coach Derek Lalonde said. “It’s a little bit of broken record. We’ve had some of these games where our process in games is OK, but we’re coming out of it 2-0, 1-0, down 3-1, so it’s something we can be better on.”
The Wings aren’t necessarily built to score in bunches in those ways, the lack of firepower throughout the lineup fairly evident on most nights.
But, there is a certain will and attitude that this Wings’ roster possesses, especially when they’ve fallen behind. The way the Wings rallied the first game after the break in Pittsburgh and chased down the Penguins did give them confidence.
The next night, the Wings scored three third-period goals to make the Sabres sweat late.
“It gave us some belief,” captain Dylan Larkin said. “We talked about not getting behind and running out of time. But with that game in Pittsburgh, it gave us some belief in those games. If we can get one (goal), we can score and get back into it by playing their zone.”
Optimistic tone
Lalonde doesn’t usually address the team after a game but Monday’s loss in Denver was a bit different.
The score was one-sided, but Lalonde felt the Wings did enough in the game and carried the play just enough, that they should feel good about themselves heading into Tuesday’s back end of a back to back in Arizona.
“I usually don’t grab the guys right after a loss, but I thought it was important,” Lalonde said. “You leave the rink, you lose 6-3, you don’t feel very good about yourself. But when you look at the whole process of it, we probably out-chanced them. I know we outshot them.
“They just got momentum off some power plays and a couple of their guys had some really, really elite nights. That was the difference.”
Monitoring Husso
Tuesday’s game was an important one for goaltender Magnus Hellberg, who was expected to get the start against the Coyotes.
The Wings desperately need Hellberg to string together some good outings and give overworked Ville Husso a breather.
And if not Hellberg, maybe turn back to Alex Nedeljkovic who cleared waivers Monday and is playing for minor league affiliate Grand Rapids.
Husso was playing so well early in the season, the Wings continued to use him, giving themselves an opportunity to earn points in the standings.
But Husso has yet to play more than 40 games in a single NHL season, and the load this season is quickly adding up. Husso had played only 57 NHL games before this one began.
Monday’s game was the 30th of the season for Husso, who was pulled after two periods. Husso has allowed four or more goals in eight of his last 12 appearances. Since Dec. 10, Husso has a 3-6-2 record.
“He went through a little bit of a rough stretch there, but that was a little overuse and he got sick at the same time,” Lalonde said. “He’s never been a starter or took on a lot of volume and starts and now we’re going to into some unchartered territory with him.”
The need of either Hellberg or Nedeljkovic to begin supplying some consistent starts is vital.
“Of course, we do (need a goaltender to complement Husso),” Lalonde said. “The best in the world need a second guy. It’s something we’ve addressed and we’re trying. We’ve liked what Magnus has given us.”
ted.kulfan@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @tkulfan