The Detroit Red Wings have climbed back into first place within the Atlantic Division after a 4-0 win on the road against the Vancouver Canucks on Monday. While they’ve won three of the last 4, goaltending has been a subject of conversation for the Red Wings. The Wings’ GM, Steve Yzerman, addressed the state of the NHL when talking to NHL.com on the NHL Board of Governors meeting, including taking a dig on the state of the team’s goaltending.
“We quit a variety of possibilities, greater than we should always,” Yzerman said. “Our goaltenders have played some really good games and still given up 4 or five. What does that inform you, you understand? Having said that, we want them each to be higher, and we expect them to be. They’re good goaltenders. They’re skilled.”
While John Gibson did have a shutout in his last outing, it was the primary shutout by a Red Wings goaltender this season. The Red Wings are currently twenty fifth as a team in goals-against per game while sitting twenty ninth in save percentage. Gibson is 7-7-1 with a 3.35 goals-against average and a .881 save percentage. Meanwhile, Cam Talbot is 9-4-2 with a 3.01 goals-against average and a .884 save percentage.
While the team is in first place of their division currently, every point matters within the playoff race. Just five points separate the Red Wings from first within the division to seventh. The team can also be only one point clear of the Latest York Rangers, who’re currently holding the ultimate wild card spot. They are only two points ahead of the Montreal Canadiens, Latest Jersey, and Philadelphia Flyers, who’re all currently outside of the playoff picture.
“I believe it’s essential for our team to grasp, like, each point could possibly be the difference of us getting in or out,” Yzerman said. “Consider two years ago, once we missed by a degree. I don’t know where that time’s going to be, but let’s ensure we grab it, since it could possibly be the difference.”
One point could are available in any of the 82 games, and will come from one in all the 2 goaltenders making just yet another save or allowing one extra goal. The Red Wings are currently 16-11-3 on the yr. They’ll look so as to add two points on Wednesday night because the team visits the Calgary Flames.