Complaints Are Few to None, But Step Up The D Wings

After suffering the Detroit Red Wings first loss of over one goal, and being out shot giving up 33 shots, it poses the question, Where is the defense at that we saw last year. 

More close games than I have ever witnessed as a fan and viewer of Red Wings hockey.  The season is still early but usually the Red Wings are running down opponents and giving them the business. 

Already nine games decided by one goal and four of them going into extra minutes.  The good news is the Wings are 2-0 in shootouts, much better percentage then we have seen in the past.

Yes, the San Jose Sharks are a formidable foe and picked to win it all this year by some, but it was a rare occasion giving up that many shots.  Some may blame it on the back-to-back games with two top-notch bruisers, others say that the Sharks are just that good.

Watching the game I noticed that San Jose was playing with a chip on their shoulder, hoping give give new coach Todd McClellan his first victory against his former team. 

Kudos to the Sharks and their new head coach.

Now back to the defense!

Last year the Wings  out shot their opponents on a nightly basis and were out shot on very rare occasions.  It could the absence of Chris Chelios and his defense first style and attitude.  I believe that when healthy, Chelios will be added to the line up more often the I first anticipated.

Giving up three goals within three minutes, show either sluggish legs or just not the drive that they had last year.  There is no excuse for three goals in three minutes.  Those three minutes were the ended up costing the Red Wings the game.

Lets see if the Wings can close out this early west coast swing and get back to The Joe for a couple of good showdowns with New Jersey and a rematch of the Stanley Cup Finals, with Malkin and the Penguins.