Red Wings Cough up Lead, Lose to Senators

“I think we gotta figure out how to close those games out,” Maatta continued. And he’s certain about the root cause of the problem.

It’s all about compete. And in Maatta’s opinion, the Red Wings are letting their compete level ebb and flow too much during the NHL preseason.

“I think the structure is not bad, but it’s a compete,” he said. “There’s always these games. Whoever competes more wins. And you can see it throughout the league that NHL lineups lose to the AHL lineups just because (the AHL lineup) competes.

“I think our big message has been to try to get that compete up even in these games.”

How Much Should Red Wings Concern Themselves?

Here’s the thing about the preseason, and it’s right there in the explanation. It’s the preseason. As Maatta noted, the games aren’t counting yet in the standings.

However, it’s also suggested that a team plays like they practice. So perhaps an extension of that could be that a team will play in the regular season as they’ve been playing in the preseason.

It’s certainly a perplexing problem for Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde. The challenge is weighing how much of this ebb and flow in compete is being driven by the fact it’s the preseason? And then, how much of it should be of concern to him and his staff?

“A little of it’s probably preseason,” Lalonde admitted. “A little of it is the unfortunate reality sometimes of veteran-type players getting what they need out of exhibition.”

That doesn’t mean the coach is okay with this development.

“I don’t love it,” Lalonde said. “You push back against it as a coach because I don’t think you could just turn it on when the (regular-season games start here on Thursday.”

The Red Wings have been enduring through a rugged camp. Many players have been expressing the opinion that it’s been the toughest camp of their pro careers.

That, Maatta believes, can ultimately be their saving grace as the regular season is approaching.

“It’s been there, but I think not throughout 60,” Maatta said of the club’s compete level. “It’s understandable, but I think it’s something you just can’t turn on and off.

“And I think we have it in practice. I think we battle, we compete, and we work really hard, which is a good thing. And I think, I’m sure we’re gonna have it when the puck drops for real games.”

He’d better be right. Otherwise, it could be another long year for Detroit.