Red Wings Blanked For 2nd Straight Game, Kiprusoff Stops 40 Shots

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Detroit fans shouldn't be surprised by anything anymore.

This season alone, the Tigers blew a seven game division lead in the AL Central race and then lost in the play-in game. Then the Wolverines and their second straight season not going to a bowl game.

But back-to-back shutout losses for the Detroit Red Wings? What is going on? What is this world coming to these days?

Yes, the very same Detroit Red Wings who led the league last year with 3.52 goals per game now have a goal-scoring problem. This year, they sit 17th in the league with 2.75 goals a game. Even in 2007-08 with 3.07 goals against, they were still only allowing 2.18 goals per game.

Alright I will admit it, those two waved off goals should have been goals. But regardless, the Wings need goals, not just shots. 40 shots is not going to do the job when none light the lamp.

Now, suddenly out of the blue, the Red Wings are looking for players to step up and score. Scoring problems have been rare among the Red Wing teams in years past, but for some reason the last three games have been a stretch. After a 3-1 loss to Nashville last week, the Red Wings were shut out by Atlanta and Calgary at home.

What is most puzzling is that Detroit has been phenomenally good at home over the past decade. Posting a 27-9-5 record at home last year, 29-9-3 in 2007-08 and 29-4-8 in 2006-07, the Red Wings have been almost unbeatable at the Joe over the past few years.

Now with back-to-back home shutout losses, this team is in trouble.

Sitting at fourth in the Central Division with a 7-4-2 record at home, the Wings are in desperate need of a winning streak.

But hold on—forget the win streak. Forget the wins. How about some goals that count!

Put the puck in the other team's net where it belongs.

The Wings have not been shut out twice in a row at home since 1977. That streak is gone. They had not been shut out in consecutive games since 2001. That streak is gone as well.

Break the streak of 153 minutes and 22 seconds without a goal.

Win a game or two; but start by turning on the red light. No excuses whether it be injuries or referees. Just score.

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