The Detroit Red Wings are struggling to build momentum and are heading into their home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night with just one win in their last seven games.
The Red Wings ended a five-game losing streak on Monday by coming back from a two-goal deficit in the third period to beat the Buffalo Sabres 6-5 in a shootout.
However, that brief spark of hope was followed by a 4-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, a game that was closer than the final score suggests. Scott Laughton, who scored all of the Flyers’ goals, added two empty-net goals in the last minute of the game.
“Games like this are frustrating,” said Red Wings center Dylan Larkin after his team was outshot 36-26. “It was a winnable game. There wasn’t much energy in the building the first couple periods, but we allowed the fans to get into it with chances we gave them. I don’t know why we can’t build momentum and play a consistent hockey game. We’re looking for that and it’s really frustrating right now to not have an answer for that.”
The Red Wings have struggled to win more than two games in a row since their best stretch of the season, a three-game winning streak in October.
“We gave up too much, the odd-man rushes. This will be a different approach going into Saturday,” said Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde. “We’ll need to correct a little more than we have. It’s about finding ways to get points on the road and flip these tight games like we did the other night.”
Detroit’s offense has not been strong enough to keep a winning streak going. Patrick Kane has only one goal in 17 games since October 26, and Vladimir Tarasenko has scored four goals in 28 games this season.
Saturday’s game starts a stretch where the Red Wings will play seven of their next eight games at home.
“We’ve tried a lot of different things,” said Larkin. “The guys in the room have to come together and start playing a consistent hockey game. We have a big homestand before Christmas here and hopefully we can take advantage.”
The Maple Leafs, on the other hand, are competing with Florida for the top spot in the Atlantic Division. Toronto has won its last two games—2-1 in overtime at New Jersey on Tuesday and 3-2 at home against Anaheim on Thursday.
However, the Maple Leafs had some bad news this week when goaltender Anthony Stolarz left Thursday’s game in the first period with a lower-body injury. He was replaced by Joseph Woll, who made 19 saves.
“It’s kind of mixed emotions,” Woll said. “Obviously, I’m sad for him. I don’t want him to get hurt. At the same time, I’ve got a job to do. I hope he’ll be alright.”
Max Pacioretty, 36, had a standout performance with two goals and an assist in the game. Pacioretty, who has scored 334 career goals, struggled last season with Washington, scoring just four goals in 47 games.
“He’s scored in this league for a number of years,” said coach Craig Berube. “He’s a 30-goal scorer, you know. He’s strong around the net and he’s got a good stick and a good shot. Plays a heavy game.”
Toronto defeated Detroit 3-1 in their first meeting on November 8, with two goals from John Tavares.
