Derek Lalonde admits the Detroit Red Wings are desperate for points and offense
Finding yourself in "desperate" need of goals and points when Christmas hasn't arrived usually is not considered a sign that your year is right on track.
The Detroit Red Wings have a major opportunity in front of them when they face the divisional foe Buffalo Sabres tonight on the road (7:00 PM, FanDuel Sports Detroit, 97.1 The Ticket).
Having lost five in a row by a single goal, the Red Wings can't afford to continue to continue slumping for much longer.
Coach Derek Lalonde acknowledged the need to not only limit the opposition's scoring chances, but to capitalize on their own.
It's frustrating we're not finishing. This stretch of late was a lot different than the stretch we had early when we weren't scoring.
It's not a good situation to be in, but the Lalonde admitted that they must dig in and find another level of play - especially against a Sabres team that is winless in their last six home games.
A very good offensive team, so I think both teams would be desperate to try to get some points especially the way it's been going.
The Red Wings and Sabres have split their season series 1-1 so far this year.
The Red Wings have struggled during 5v5 play as well as on the penalty kill
Not only were the Red Wings the NHL's worst team offensively during 5v5 play for much of this year, but their penalty killing would rank dead last out of every NHL team - literally ever - since the data of PK efficiency began being tracked if the year were to end today.
The Red Wings have to figure things out quickly before the hole they've dug themselves into gets too big to dig out of.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 9 | 91 ANSWERS Derek Lalonde admits the Detroit Red Wings are desperate for points and offense Which poor Detroit Red Wings statistic needs to improve the most? | ||
| Penalty killing | 51 | 56 % |
| 5v5 offense | 40 | 44 % |
| List of polls | ||
