Photo credit: NHL.com
Detroit Red Wings General Manager Steve Yzerman foolishly called out his goaltenders despite the team holding the 1st spot in the Atlantic Division.
While we get the idea that Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman is prudent with his choice of words often, today wasn’t one of those days.
The Red Wings’ general manager has found himself in a questionable spot, as the team he built has come under fire from himself?
«We give up a lot of chances, more than we should,» Yzerman said. «Our goaltenders have played some really good games and still given up four or five. What does that tell you, you know? Having said that, we need them both to be better, and we expect them to be. They’re good goaltenders. They’re professional.»
John Gibson, who was acquired by the Red Wings in a trade from the Anaheim Ducks this offseason and recently registered the Red Wings’ first shutout of the year.
Gibson has a record of 7-7-1, with a 3.35 goals-against average and a .881 save percentage. Veteran goaltender Cam Talbot has fared a bit better with a record of 9-4-2, a 3.01 goals-against average, and a .884 save percentage.
For the Detroit Red Wings, every point counts in the Eastern Conference
If we’re discussing the team total, they’re 25th in goals-against per game and 29th in save percentage. Keep in mind that this is the team he has sold as a playoff-worthy team.
At this point in the season, they very well could be sitting atop the Atlantic, and while every point counts, players need to keep in mind that only 5 points separate the 1st and 7th spots in the division.
The race in the Eastern Conference is tight, as only one point separates the New York Rangers and the Detroit Red Wings for the final wild-card spot.
The Red Wings need to tighten up their game, as they’re only two points removed from the Philadelphia Flyers, New Jersey Devils, and Montreal Canadiens, who are outside of the playoff picture.
«I think it’s important for our team to understand, like, every single point could be the difference of us getting in or out,» Yzerman said. «Think of two years ago, when we missed by a point. I don’t know where that point’s going to be, but let’s make sure we grab it, because it could be the difference.»
Another shot at two points will come on Wednesday night against the rebuilding Calgary Flames on their road trip to the Scotiabank Saddledome.
The Red Wings are 1st in the Atlantic with a record of 16-11-3, and they could add an extra point with the help of the dynamic duo in the crease, John Gibson or Cam Talbot.
One Red Wings goaltender,Cam Talbot, has been involved in several trade rumors recently, but nothing has materialized. Is this a pretext for another move by Yzerman?
Previously on Detroit Hockey Insider
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Red Wings’ Steve Yzerman calls out both goaltenders despite holding first place in the Atlantic Division
Does General Manager Steve Yzerman of the Detroit Red Wings calling out both goaltenders who helped get the team to 1st in the Atlantic Division mean a larger issue is at hand?