Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin gets 100% real about "missed opportunities" in OT loss to Sharks
The only "California Dreamin" that the Detroit Red Wings are doing as they return home from their Western road swing will be more of a nightmare.
For the second time in three games, Detroit failed to maintain the lead and dropped a contest to a lottery-bound team; they were bested by the San Jose Sharks 5-4 in overtime thanks to rookie Macklin Celebrini's game-winner in the extra session.
The Red Wings had leads of 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2, only to see San Jose tie the score each time shortly afterward.
Luke Kunin would give the Sharks a 4-3 lead in the third period, while Detroit eventually responded late in regulation with an Alex DeBrincat power-play goal to salvage a point in the standings.
Afterward, captain Dylan Larkin acknowledged the difficult truth about the worrying trend of failing to maintain the lead, labeling the losses as "missed opportunities".
"Missed opportunities," the frustrated Larkin explained.
"The whole game was missed opportunities.
We got one point (in the standings) but we could have had two and finished the road trip on a good note."
"We didn't do that," he continued.
"Again, we got a lead and got sloppy."
Another concern for Detroit was their opponent once again held a decisive advantage in shots.
The Red Wings were outshot 105-63 on the three-game trip, which included a 4-1 setback against the Los Angeles Kings sandwiched between the losses to Anaheim and San Jose.
During Saturday's loss to the Kings, Los Angeles finished with 41 shots to Detroit's 18.
The night prior, the Red Wings failed to maintain a 3-1 lead over Anaheim en route to a 6-4 loss.
The Red Wings will have the chance for a much-needed course correction when they host the New York Islanders at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday evening.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM EST.
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