ALGAIRE — This season, the Detroit Red Wings have shown they are more than capable of surviving hardship.
For the first time since December 23–27, the Red Wings have dropped their last two games on their road trip through Western Canada, 8–4 against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday and 4–1 against
the NHL-leading Vancouver Canucks on Thursday. However, head coach Derek Lalonde stated he is interested in seeing how his team responds in these final two games.
“I believe some of that experienced leadership comes from the room,” Lalonde remarked following Friday’s Scotiabank Saddledome practice. “There are veterans in the room and throughout the lineup who have experienced every circumstance. Every one of them has had a two-game losing run. The how you bounce back from a losing streak matters more than how long it lasts, because tomorrow is another chance.
Practice focused on quality and energy as Detroit got ready for Saturday’s matinee against the Calgary Flames.
According to Lalonde, “I think it was a needed practice.” Something along the lines of light to extremely hefty. We did have some substance, which was crucial, in my opinion. I felt that today was productive because we are going to be short on practice time as we approach the finish line. We anticipate that will go over into tomorrow.
Lalonde expressed his satisfaction with the Red Wings’ acquisition of some crucial practice repetitions during their Friday morning flight from Vancouver to Calgary.
“They represented them correctly, even though I know the guys didn’t look particularly excited when we were drawing them up on the boards,” Lalonde remarked. They seem to have realised that we’re going to require some of it if we want to improve and continue the fight. Some of that was received today.
Robby Fabbri, who missed the previous two games due to the birth of his first kid on Tuesday, returned to the team for Friday’s practice. He reported that Mara Gabriella, his newborn baby, and his wife Kassandra are both doing well.
