The Daily: Red Wings Need More Efforts Like Sunday’s Effort; Habs Moving Xhekaj?

When the Detroit Red Wings downed the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in their Sunday outing, they exorcised more than one demon including beating goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy for the first time ever in Detroit.

But the statistic the Red Wings want to build is the one-goal against.

That marked the first time in 36 days they have given up only one goal in a game. They actually lost that Dec. 16 game against the Philadelphia Flyers. Before Sunday’s win, the last time they gave up one goal and won a contest was Nov. 30 against the Chicago Blackhawks.  The Red Wings have improved defensively in their 8-2-1 run. But they still have given up 2.90 goals per game over that stretch.

That’s below the league average of 3.12 goals per game. But is a 2.90 goals per game average good enough to make the playoffs? It would seem like the Red Wings need to hold teams to one goal more than once every 36 days to be assured of a playoff spot. They need to win more 2-1 and 3-2 games.  The Boston Bruins have given up one or no goals twice in the last week and the surging Edmonton Oilers, not known for stellar defensive play, have given up zero or one goal five times during their streak.

The Red Wings may have to become even sharper defensively to assure themselves a playoff spot.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Marco Kasper was named American Hockey League Player of the Week.
• Patrick Kane will start skating this week as he works to comeback from his lower body injury. He has missed three games.
• What the Red Wings did to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning

Red Wings Next Game

Coach Derek Lalonde’s squad is home tonight to take on a Dallas Stars team that ranks third in the NHL with a 3.6 goals per game scoring average. The Stars boast eight players with 10 or more goals led by Roope Hintz who has 20 this season. Jason Robertson leads the team with 48 points.

Hockey Now Network

Chicago: The release of Bob McKenzie’s mid-season draft rankings make it clear the Chicago Blackhawks are going to land another blue chip player. Can you imagine if the Blackhawks land Macklin Celebrini after drafting Connor Bedard?

Montreal: Rivals are calling the Montreal Canadiens about the availability of  defenseman Arber Xhekaj.

Philadelphia: Jonathan Bailey believes the demotion of Bobby Brink is a bad look for the rebuilding Philadelphia Flyers. 

Pittsburgh: The Pittsburgh Penguins‘ self destructive behavior continues.  Big questions looming.

Vegas: The Vegas Golden Knights play a “beer league game”in losing to New Jersey Devils