What Red Wings Must Do to Get Back on Track After 3 Straight Losses

The Detroit Red Wings got off to an amazing start to the season, but things haven't gone so smoothly over the last week. The Red Wings have dropped three games in a row, and although they have picked up two points, the team has not been playing smart hockey.

During the last three games, the Wings have taken 13 penalties. Although the Wings have killed 10 of them, the three goals they allowed have ultimately played a role in the team's downfall. Against the New York Rangers on Wednesday, a power-play goal early led to the Wings playing on their heels, and the second power-play goal allowed was a game-winner.

Against the Ottawa Senators, Detroit surrendered a power-play goal in the first period, and although it would tie it, playing from behind did Detroit no favors. There is a huge emphasis on scoring the first goal, and playing with a lead allows teams to generate positive momentum. That's something that hasn't happened as of late for the Wings, and that will have to change soon.

During the Red Wings' 10 other shorthanded opportunities, they were able to avert a crisis by killing off the penalty without surrendering a goal, but all the time spent killing penalties disrupted Detroit's rhythm. The Wings have been unable to generate enough offense over the last three games, and as a result they have been outscored 10-6.

Heading into Friday’s matchup at Joe Louis Arena against the New Jersey Devils, the Wings need to do a few simple things to snap their losing streak. For the Red Wings to get back on track, they have to play disciplined hockey. Entering action on Thursday night, the Devils own the NHL's fourth-best power-play unit, and they have scored on 24.4 percent of all power plays. 

If the Red Wings continue playing sloppy hockey, they will be fighting an uphill battle against New Jersey. In addition to playing disciplined, if and when Detroit gets a lead, it needs to keep it.

At the start of Detroit's most recent skid, the Wings took a lead early in the third period, but they were unable to keep it. The Buffalo Sabres scored a goal late in the third period, and the Wings ultimately lost in the shootout.

Against the Senators, Detroit trailed before tying it up, but the Wings went on to give up two more goals before losing 3-1. On Wednesday against the Rangers, the Wings fell into a 2-0 hole, tied the game, went down 3-2, tied it up again and finally lost in overtime.

Wednesday's game was a bit unconventional, as shoddy officiating toward both sides disrupted the natural flow of the game. It didn't help the Wings that they tied the game up with 7.7 seconds left in the third period, and all momentum left the game when the Zambonis came out to dry scrape the ice before the start of overtime.

From that point onward it was all Rangers, and the Wings had lost their third consecutive game in a row. In addition to playing smart hockey, the Red Wings will need their top players to start scoring again.

It is almost no coincidence that the Wings are in the midst of a three-game losing streak at the same time that two of their best players have been ice cold.

Henrik Zetterberg and Gustav Nyquist were on fire at the start of the season, but over the last three games they have combined for one goal. That is a problem for Detroit, because for the most part, as go Nyquist and Zetterberg, so do the Wings.

Games	Record	Goals	Assists	Points
Prior to Losing Streak	6-2-2	10	12	23
Three-Game Losing Streak	0-1-2	1	0	1

When Nyquist and Zetterberg are motoring along, the Wings offense is dynamic and lively. After watching the last three games, it is fair to say Detroit has been far from lively and dynamic. The team has looked stale, and although Pavel Datsyuk has looked good, Detroit needs Nyquist and Zetterberg to snap out of their funk.

The Wings are a good team that is just in the middle of a funk right now. There is no reason why they can’t get back on track against New Jersey, because the Devils are giving up more goals than they are scoring. If Detroit can capitalize on this, and stay out of the box, the Wings will snap their current streak and will start a new one in the process.