DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings are coming off a nine-day break between games with only two practices to prepare for the Vancouver Canucks (today at 1 p.m., Bally Sports Detroit), who have played two games this week.
Coach Derek Lalonde and captain Dylan Larkin don't think it's fair. But they realize there's no crying in hockey, so you deal with it.
“I don't like it and I have no problem saying it,” Lalonde said. “I think there is some harm in it. It's a little disappointing, but I don't blame the league. What I meant was that it is harmful for us.”
He added, “You can do your best with a couple of practices to replicate game speed, but it's going to be tough. But that's all part of it. The schedule is not correct. Some things end badly for you. You will get a good ending.”
Larkin said: “I think it's a little unfair, but it is the way it is.”
Adding to the challenge, the Canucks (34-12-5) are tied with Boston at the top of the league with 73 points, 15 more than Detroit (26-18-6).
The record is surprising considering they have missed the playoffs in the last three seasons. However, Lalonde is not surprised by this success.
“I'm surprised by the top (two) teams in the league with 73 points,” he said. “If you look at their talent, this is as good a team as any in the league. Their depth on D, their depth up front, gamebreakers on D and up front. And one of the league's top goalscorers. That said, huge credit to (coach Rick Tocquet) and his staff for getting it all going in the right direction. I'm excited it's a really good challenge.”
The Canucks have a 1-2 center punch of JT Miller (68 points) and Elias Pettersson (65 points) and 30-goal scorer Brock Boeser. Quinn Hughes leads all defensemen with 64 points and may be the leading candidate for the Norris Trophy. His teammate, former Red Wing Filip Hronek, is having a strong season with 36 points.
Goaltender Thatcher Demko (27-9-1, 2.47 goals-against average, .918 save percentage) could be a Vezina Trophy finalist.
The Red Wings, despite a 3–2 overtime loss to Ottawa on January 31 in their final game before the All-Star break, are looking to build on a strong January (9–2–2) that vaulted them into the playoff picture . ,
They face a tough schedule after the break, including a four-game trip after today that begins Tuesday in Edmonton, with their NHL record-tying 17-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday in Vegas . Then they will face Vancouver on Thursday.
“If we can just keep focusing on those details,” Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat said. “It's not necessary to get our feet there immediately, but we have to figure out a way to manage the game.”