The Detroit Red Wings have lost six games in a row. They’ve sqaundered their hold on an NHL playoff position.
Nerves are frayed. Frustration is growing. And tempers are flaring.
During a drill at practice on Wednesday, forward Lucas Raymond and defenseman Ben Chiarot came to blows. Teammates were required to intervene in order to separate the combatants.
This, according to Red Wings forward Patrick Kane, is a good thing. It’s a positive development for a club that needs to get back on track.
“I don’t think it’s a bad thing,” Kane said. “I’d be more worried if we were walking around here all smiles, happy and everything’s okay. I think it’s good to get a little frustrated as long as you harness it in the right way.
“Frustration can create a lot of positive energy as well, whether it’s practicicing like you play, or just playing harder tomorrow.”
Both Chiarot and Raymond have been struggling during this six-game Detroit skid. Each player is minus-10 over that span.
Red Wings Need To Refocus
The Red Wings are playing three of their next four games at home, beginning with a Thursday date with the Arizona Coyotes. Arizona beat Detroit 4-0 last week at Mullett Arena.
Saturday, there’s a reunion with the Buffalo Sabres. On Tuesday in Buffalo, the Red Wings were given a 7-3 throttling.
Detroit forward David Perron, like Kane a veteran of the hockey wars, also felt that the sight of two of his teammates scrapping was an indication that the Red Wings want to find a way to get back to their winning ways.
“We saw the intensity this morning in practice,” Perron said. “I think that’s great to see. Guys want to have solutions, they want to be part of it.
“I’m excited for tomorrow. It’s an exciting challenge to come to the rink and find a way to turn it around.“
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