Five Takeways: Patrice Bergeron 4, Detroit Red Wings 1 in Boston

The Detroit Red Wings will take a four-game losing streak into Buffalo Saturday after dropping a 5-1 road game to the Boston Bruins Thursday. Patrice Bergeron scored four of the goals.

Bruins Appreciation Day

We can talk about the Detroit Red Wings’ coverage issues on the penalty kill. But Bergeron’s four-goal game is just another reminder of how special the Bergeron-Brad Marchand connection is. We always talk about top lines, but often it’s two guys on a line that have the special bond. Wayne Gretzky and Jari Kurri. Bryan Trottier and Mike Bossy. Adam Oates and Brett Hull. Bergeron and Marchand have that level of a connection.

Detroit’s coverage lapses created their opportunities, but those players are special because they can consistently cash in on their chances. Special performance by the Boston duo.

The Dagger

The Red Wings cut it to 3-1 on Lucas Raymond’s fifth goal of the season. They then get another a power play opportunity. If they score, the lead is cut to 3-2. It’s a game. Instead, Mike Reilly scores a shorthanded goal to crush any thoughts of a Detroit comeback.

“That’s a killer,”  Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. “…that can’t happen.”

Penalty Kill Woes Fatal

Detroit’s penalty killing came into the game ranked 27th in the NHL, and they gave up three power play goals in five chances. That’s going to put their percentage under 70%. You can’t win in the NHL with ineffective penalty killing.

“The Bergeron slot is a job that we missed an assignment twice,” Blashill said. “We went over it lots before. I know (assistant coach Doug Houda) went over it pretty heavy about what the assignments were, but we missed an assignment twice.

Sensational rookies Lucas Raymond (5th goal) and Moritz Seider (9th assist) hook up for this power-play goal. Filip Hronek also assisting. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/Mea2Fdp8bs

— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) November 5, 2021

Offense is AWOL

The Red Wings have lost six of their last eight games. They scored two or fewer regulation goals in six of those games. Their goal differential is -13 in those games. It hasn’t helped that top line players Tyler Bertuzzi and Dylan Larkin have missed a total of six games.

Nobody seems sure when Larkin is coming back. He’s out because of “personal” reasons.

The Red Wings only managed to register 15 shots on goal against the Bruins. The No. 2 line of Filip Zadina, Pius Suter and Robby Fabbri managed a grand total of one shot on net. Suter’s season production — one goal and one assist — has been a disappointment.

“I think a lot of times we don’t get a lot of shots,” Blashill said. “That’s where this is a lack of offensive push. Against this (Bruins) team, they are really structured. You’re not going to break them down a whole bunch. You have to shoot to create chaos. And I just thought we passed up tons of shots.

More Seider, More Raymond

They are rookies. They make mistakes, particularly in their defensive play. But their offensive production has been more consistent than we’ve seen from the veterans.

Seider leads the team with nine assists. He has shown a knack for becoming involved in scoring plays. Seider gets his shots on net. He makes smart passes. Raymond now has five goals and 10 points.

Seider and Raymond are giving Detroit fans some hope, even in the midst of a four-game losing streak.