"It’s not in the DNA of some of our guys": HC Derek Lalonde highlights one specific trait Detroit Red Wings players are currently lacking

By ARJUN B

Modified Dec 08, 2024 05:37 GMT

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The Detroit Red Wings had their fifth straight loss, falling 2-1 to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night at Little Caesars Arena. The defeat dropped the Red Wings' record to 10-13-4 on the season.

After the game, head coach Derek Lalonde highlighted one specific trait that he feels his players are lacking.

“It’s not in the DNA of some of our guys,” Lalonde said, referring to the team's inability to generate enough gritty offense around the net (8:41 onwards). “Just getting pucks to the net and getting into some foot races, we just need to do more of it.”

Lalonde emphasized the need for greasier goals and more players going to the net to increase shot scrambles.

"They want time and space, so they kind of hang out on the outside, and it's just hard to produce in today's NHL like that.”

He pointed out that opponents often control the middle of the ice, and breaking them down usually requires getting pucks to the net. Lalonde believes that improving in this area could enhance their game.

Lucas Raymond scored for Detroit, while Cale Makar and Valeri Nichushkin tallied for Colorado. Goaltender Ville Husso made 23 saves in the losing effort. Alexandar Georgiev stopped 29 shots.

Game Recap: Detroit Red Wings 2-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche

Enter caption NHL: Colorado Avalanche at Detroit Red Wings - Source: Imagn

Valeri Nichushkin gave Colorado the lead at 10:48 of the first period, burying a shot from his stick at the left post after his first try was denied. The Avalanche extended their lead to 2-0 on the power play at 2:44 of the second when Cale Makar fired in a wrist shot from the point.

“Some positives, probably take our five-on-five game tonight against a team like that, we holding the two goals, probably out chance them fairly good, just got to do more to find a way to flip some of these games. That's a frustrating one.” Lalonde said.

The Detroit Red Wings opened the scoring at 18:13 of the second period when Lucas Raymond tipped in a wrist shot from Dylan Larkin. However, Detroit could not capitalize on a late rush with their goalie pulled, failing to score against the Avalanche’s Alexandar Georgiev.

The Detroit Red Wings will next face the Buffalo Sabres on Monday at KeyBank Center.