Wings struggle in 6-2 loss to Sabres

by Christy on Oct 13, 2009 9:27 PM CDT in Game Recaps

After winning two games at home, the Detroit Red Wings dropped a 6-2 loss in Buffalo against the Sabres as the mistakes piled up. Netminder Chris Osgood was pulled during the middle frame after allowing five markers on 22 shots. Jimmy Howard was inserted into goal and stopped all but one shot with about 27 minutes of ice time. Buffalo outshot Detroit 37-25 in the loss.

According to the Detroit Free Press:

After the teams traded power-play goals in the first period, the Sabres scored four times on seven shots in a span of 6:43 to chase Chris Osgood, who allowed five goals on 22 shots. The four goals matched the number Buffalo had scored in its first three games this season.

Forwards Valtteri Filppula and Tomas Holmstrom scored Detroit's only two goals in the game. Filppula scored at the 4:30 remaining in the opening period to tie the game at one goal apiece. He tipped in a pass from defenseman Niklas Kronwall that came thanks to Detroit's power-play opportunity. Homer made it a four-goal difference with a tally about halfway through the final stanza.

Once again, the Wings struggled in the second period allowing four goals. Thomas Vanek recorded two of those markers, but left with an upper body injury after his second goal. ESPN.com reports that he will be out for weeks with the injury. When you include Detroit's three road games -- two of which were in Sweden -- the Wings have allowed 10 combined goals in the second period alone.

Forwards Kris Draper and Kirk Maltby were tabbed as healthy scratches to make room for the fourth line, which consisted of Brad May, Darren Helm, and Patrick Eaves.

What are your thoughts on the game? Chime in by responding to the poll and/or leaving your thoughts in the comment section.

Poll

Is this game and the team's play representative of the season the Wings will have or just a minor blip in the schedule?

No worries. It's just a blip.

57 votes

It may be just one game, but I have concerns.

212 votes

The sky is falling. This loss was just a start of things to come.

46 votes

315 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

YOU SEE!

This is what happens when it airs on VS and I can’t watch the game!

STUPID DIRECTV!

by ZWC11 on Oct 13, 2009 9:31 PM CDT reply actions

Blah

Our heroes in Red and White came out flat and looked disinterested right from the start, i know theyve lost some goal scoring but the defense looked very weak and ordinary, sure its early, but that was a dreadful display……

by nighthawk55 on Oct 13, 2009 11:52 PM CDT reply actions

Every thing comes to an end sometime.

you guys had a long long run in the NHL. Tides to shift. Its time for rebuiling Detriot fans, you may not like it but its true look at Hawks. We were cellar dewellers for years and years and dealt with crappy ownership. Im not here to bash like some morans doo. I do respect the Redwings because you guys are or were the Brasil of soccer. But I like our chances with the team we have. Anyway good luck the rest of the way.

by redtribe14 on Oct 14, 2009 12:35 PM CDT reply actions

You very well may be right that this indeed a rebuilding year, a lot of the guys are older and getting a step or two slower and a lot of the division rivals are vastly improved, the Hawks definitely, the Blues, and the Blue Jackets are no pushover either, good luck the rest of the way to you too!

by nighthawk55 on Oct 14, 2009 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Hmm

Admittedly there is reason for concern this season. But to call this a rebuilding year, and for others to suggest the Wings run is over, seems a bit premature. The Wings don’t lack the talent or the players to win a Cup, what they lack right now is any desire to do so. For the past three seasons we’ve played almost as many games as a team can, and I don’t know if our boys are just plain tired, or if there’s something else underneath the surface…

The Wings team that came out against the Caps was the best I’ve seen since probably game 5 of the SCF, and the depth of talent still in Detroit was evident. The Wings team that came out last night was one of the worst showings I’ve seen from our guys. It is completely befuddling.

by Brobz on Oct 14, 2009 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions

We aren’t going to win the division this year. I think we have a major hang over from last year and we have lost some talent for sure. But to say that we are rebuilding or should is kind of a joke. We have more talent then most of the teams in the division and we will even it out. The Hawks won’t make a playoff run until they find a stable goalie, lets face it they don’t have it now. They have a strong team, but goaltending is so key in the playoffs.

by breal on Oct 14, 2009 12:49 PM CDT reply actions

we shall see..

I really think getting rid of Koclain…im sorry for not spelling it right, will be the real hurt for you guys. I think Osgood is showing signs of age. I agree to some point that the Hawks need to address the goalie sitution and Im sure they will. I predict that Niami will be the starter mid season.

by redtribe14 on Oct 14, 2009 1:15 PM CDT reply actions

Oh you meant Conklin...

I was like… Who the hell is he talking about?

Yeah, Ozzie didn’t step it up til the playoffs last year, but we had to dump Conklin because of cap space.

by ZWC11 on Oct 15, 2009 8:12 PM CDT up reply actions

ok so this year may be the first year ever...EVER since i been

a Red Wings fan (since 1993)….that we may mayy struggle to get to the playoffs but i wouldn’t go all out 100% panic just yet it is 5 games…we can turn it around.

we seem to have gotten over that HURDLE

thanks for a great season Rockies!

LETS GO WINGS!

by TuLoRocks2008 on Oct 14, 2009 1:43 PM CDT reply actions