WGD: GAME 12, RED WINGS VS JETS

On Wednesday, while blowing a third period lead in Philadelphia, the Chicago Cubs broke the longest Championship drought in professional sports. Cubs fans had to wait 108 years, well I guess no one really waited that long, but it was an extended, extended drought nonetheless. If the Cubbies can break a 108-year drought, the Red Wings are capable of snapping this three-game losing streak. 

The Red Wings played very well in the first period on Wednesday, but the last two periods was more of the same. Get outshot, give up goals. It was a tough way to lose, but it wasn’t overly surprising. The Red Wings have had a very difficult time holding onto third period leads, dating back to last season. 

Thankfully, the Winnipeg Jets are in town tonight. And I say that not because the Jets are bad, but because they come in on a tail-end of a back-to-back, having lost in overtime last night in Washington. They’ve also played three games in the last five days and lost all of them—one to Buffalo and both of a home-and-home with Washington. 

Winnipeg comes in with a 4-6-1 record, they’re tied for 21st in goals for (2.45 G/PG)—Detroit is tied for 14th (2.73)—and they’re tied for 20th in goals against (3.00 GA/PG)—Detroit is tied for 13th (2.55). Winnipeg’s special teams ranks in the bottom third of the league as well, so all signs are pointing towards this being a good matchup for the Red Wings. 

Over the last three seasons, the Red Wings are 2-2-2 versus the Jets, having averaged 2.67 goals for an 3.17 goals against per game. Hopefully they can buck that trend as well as end a three-game slide tonight. 

Let’s take a look at the lineups and goaltending matchup: 

Detroit Red Wings Lines courtesy of DailyFaceoff

Following the loss in Philadelphia, the Red Wings were given Thursday off, so as of now there is no indication whether or not they will make lineup changes. The forward lines seem to be clicking, the Red Wings generated a decent amount of offence on Wednesday, the team just needs to learn how to defend leads. With Thomas Vanek still out and Anthony Mantha still in the AHL, there’s nothing that Jeff Blashill can do other than shuffle the lines around a bit. But, even then, what else can he do? 

Dylan Larkin had a lot of burst vs. the Flyers, Andreas Athanasiou impressed once again and Henrik Zetterberg finally scored his first goal of the season. Those are all positives to take into tonight’s game. I’m still desperately waiting for Tomas Tatar to break out of this early season slump and I think that’s going to be the key to the Red Wings’ success.

It seems like Blashill agrees. Tatar averaged a ridiculous 14:21 TOI per game last year and saw a small bump early this year. In his first five games he played an average of 16:02 per night, but in the last six games it has gone up even more. Since the San Jose game, Tatar is averaging 18:21 per night, which is more like the minutes that our top winger should be playing. Another bit of positive news is that his playing time last year limited him to just over two shots per game (2.04), but this year that number is closer to three (2.82). However, the increase in shots hasn’t resulted in goal-scoring because he is shooting at a ridiculously low 3.2 percent. The 25-year-old winger has a career shooting percentage of 12.4%, so it is only a matter of time, especially given his massive uptick in minutes played, before Tatar starts finding the back of the net and finding it with some regularity. 

Winnipeg Jets Lines courtesy of  DailyFaceoff 

With the Jets in town, the Red Wings faithful will get their first look at impressive rookie Patrik Laine. This summer’s No.2 overall pick has drawn comparisons to Alex Ovechkin because of his lethal shot and he’s shown it off early this season. So far he leads the Jets in goals with six and has picked up eight points in 11 games. While you have to be careful with Laine, it’s the Jets’ top-line of Nikolaj Ehlers-Mark Scheifele-Blake Wheeler that provide the majority of their offence. The trio has combined for 10 goals, which is 37 percent of the Jets’ goals.

It will also be Kyle Connor’s first game vs. the Red Wings. The Clinton Township native attended the University of Michigan last year and made the jump to the NHL at 19-years-old and has three points (1G / 2A) so far this season.

On the blueline, the Jets are missing Jacob Trouba, who hopefully they trade to the Red Wings before tonight’s game, but they’re still anchored by do-it-all defenseman Dustin Byfuglien. The group may be down another regular, as Tyler Myers has missed the last three games and doesn’t seem likely to return tonight. 

I would be inclined to think that maybe Jimmy Howard gets back in goal tonight, but since I’m writing this late, I have the luxury of the Red Wings already skating and Petr Mrazek is in the starter’s crease, which means it looks like he’ll go again. Mrazek played OK in Philadelphia, but having given up eight goals in his last two starts, I thought we’d see Howard here. 

For the Jets it will most likely be Connor Hellebuyck. They’ve basically stuck to a goalie rotation all year and Michael Hutchinson started last night, which is unfortunate because Hellebuyck is the better goalie of the two. That said, Hellebuyck hasn’t had the greatest start to the season. He comes in with a 2.63 GAA and .914 SV% in six appearances. I’ll give the Red Wings the edge between the pipes. 

Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. ET at Joe Louis Arena. You can watch the game on Fox Sports Detroit or listen to it on 97.1 FM The Ticket. 

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