Detroit Red Wings Weekly Recap: Wrapping Up Week 18

Welcome to the 16th regular season Detroit Red Wings weekly review. After a lengthy 10 days off because of the All-Star break, the Red Wings were back to work this week.

The Red Wings had a .500 week, recording a win and a loss in their return to the ice. The first game back included a 5-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, then they rebounded with a 2-1 win over the Calgary Flames at Little Caesars Arena.

The Detroit Red Wings return to the ice after the All-Star break.

Positives

Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin and defenseman Moritz Seider led the team in scoring this week, recording two points a piece. Larkin had a goal and assists, while Seider recorded two assists.

Larkin looked refreshed and ready to go after his All-Star week, while Seider picked up where he left off. Over their last five games, Larkin has one goal and three assists, while Seider has four assists.

The Red Wings looked energized and ready to go after the break. With the return of Filip Zadina to the lineup, the Detroit Red Wings skated well, got back on defense, and were ready to battle it out with new confidence.

Although they lost to the Oilers 5-2, the game was closer than the score. The two games were team efforts and they did not back down. The overall play looked crisp, and the passing was tape to tape. Maybe these two games were just what the Red Wings needed to get back on track.

The penalty kill was strong as the Red Wings went 6-for-7 on the kill in two games. The unit looked strong against the Oilers in particular, as the Oilers have a strong offensive presence with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl causing havoc on the man advantage.

This week brings the Detroit Red Wing’s penalty kill up to 77.2%, which ranks 18th.

Negatives

The power play looked downright bad as the Detroit Red Wings come back from break, going 1-for-10 in two games. The play looked embarrassing, and things just did not line up.

The overall play was off and the players looked lost on both units. Even with Zadina back, the special teams have some work to do. The power play now sits at 19.5%, which is 23rd in the league.

The Red Wings continue to lose to the elite teams above them. Beating Calgary was understandable, but they lost to Edmonton. The Detroit Red Wings still have work to do before they compete for a playoff spot, and beating the elite teams could help advance that.

They do not look awful, just outmatched on most nights against these teams in particular. Larkin, Seider, and Ville Husso can do so much, as the rest of the team has to step up.

With the trade deadline right around the corner, some of these players are playing for jobs. Some of them could be gone in the weeks to come, while some have their jobs safe.

Without knowing who is safe and who is in danger of leaving, the Detroit Red Wings need to step up their game as a team and compete to the best of their ability.

Weekly record: 1-1

Season record: 22-20-8