Detroit Red Wings had a lackluster week 23 but now wait for trade deadline

Welcome to my 23rd weekly regular season recap of the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings played two games this week, losing both.

Detroit lost 4-0 to the red-hot Florida Panthers and then 7-2 to the well-rounded Colorado Avalanche.

With those results, does that change the trade deadline plans for General Manager Steve Yzerman?

The Detroit Red Wings have more questions than answers right now

Positives

The penalty kill of the Red Wings remained hot as they were up against two highly powered offenses this week. Although they did allow four power-play goals in two games, it could have been much worse considering the opponents.

Florida is one of the hottest teams in the league right now and Colorado has an elite offense. Detroit held its own and executed well considering the circumstances. This week's performance on the penalty kill put Detroit into 12th place in the league, operating at an 80.4% rate.

With only scoring two goals in two games this week, there is not much offense to talk about. Robby Fabbri continues his strong play, Alex DeBrincat provided an assist, and Olli Maatta is continuing to provide from the blueline with four points (two goals and two assists this week) in his last five games.

Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere added an assist this week to add to his point production, leading Detroit defenseman in scoring with nine goals and 31 assists for 40 points in 61 games.

He has five points (two goals and three assists) in his last five games as he continues to earn the contract he signed in the off-season.

Negatives

The offense dried up this week and it is a bit of a concern. With captain Dylan Larkin injured and out for up to two weeks, the forward group needs to step up and find a way to create offense.

They have a better supporting cast than in years past so they should be able to get things together and avoid falling further behind in the standings.

With the trade deadline today, March 8th, will General Manager Steve Yzerman look for a forward to help the offense while Larkin is out? Or will the main focus be on defense and goaltending?

Although they did play against two elite teams this week, the power play went 1-for-7. They have shown this season that they can operate on the power play with ease but have somewhat slowed since the season went on, now operating at 23%,10th in the league.

A few adjustments and Larkin's return should get those numbers to improve but what happens in the meantime?

Who fills the bumper role? Does Detroit put Patrick Kane up front instead of at the point on the power play?

The losses to Colorado and Florida hurt as they did not pick up a single point out of a four-point week. There is no time to be leaving points on the board as Detroit does not have the cushion to be coming up empty.

The games that go by without gaining a single point allow the teams behind the Red Wings to catch up and allow the teams ahead to add to their point totals in the standings.

If moves are not made by Yzerman at the trade deadline to add to this group, it will be difficult to pass teams in the Eastern Conference that have already added significant pieces.

Weekly record: 0-2

Season record: 33-23-6, 72 points, 4th in the Atlantic Division