The Red Wings Are in Serious Trouble Now

A little over two weeks ago, I wrote about the struggles with the Detroit Red Wings.

They were in the middle of their seven-game losing streak and playing like crap.  Some of that due to the injury to team captain Dylan Larkin.

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But now he's healthy and the team is still stinking the joint out.  As of this writing (morning of March 29th), the Red Wings trail the Washington Capitals by two points for the second (and final) Wild Card Spot in the Eastern Conference.

They have nine games remaining in the regular season.  Here's a list of their remaining games:

Saturday, March 30th - @ Florida

Monday, April 1st - @ Tampa Bay

Friday, April 5th - Home Vs. New York Rangers

Sunday, April 7th - Home Vs. Buffalo

Tuesday, April 9th - Home Vs. Washington

Thursday, April 11th - @ Pittsburgh

Saturday, April 13th - @ Toronto

Monday, April 15th - Home Vs. Montreal

Tuesday, April 16th - @ Montreal

As you can see, there are no easy games from here on out.  You could make a case that they could lose every single game the rest of the season.

And considering the lack of good play on defense, you can't eliminate that as a possibility.

THE RED WINGS DEFENSE IS PUTRID

I've talked about this before, but Steve Yzerman's unwillingness/inability to make moves to improve the defense at the trade deadline is really costing this time now.  With Jake Walman out hurt, they have to play Jeff Petry and (every once in awhile) Justin Holl.

Petry and Holl were Stevie Y's big free agent signings to help the defense.  Petry got a two-year deal, Holl got a three-year deal.  What were thought to be good signings have turned out to be disasters.

Because those guys have been GOD-AWFUL!!!

THE GOALTENDING HAS SUFFERED AS A RESULT

The Red Wings don't have a number 1 goalie.  They have three number 2 goalies in Ville Husso, James Reimer, and Alex Lyon (pictured above).  All three have had good moments, but none of them have been consistent.  The bad defense hasn't helped them out.

Husso is still hurt and has missed a lot of time.  Lyon has played a lot and he looks tired.  Reimer has played well, but isn't consistent.  Top prospect Sebastian Cossa has played well for the Wings top farm club, the Grand Rapids Griffins, but hasn't played a minute in the NHL yet.  And the organization doesn't want or need to put him into the fire yet.  That will likely come this fall at training camp.

ONLY NINE GAMES LEFT!!!

Time is running out for the Wings this season.  They have absolutely crapped the bed in this last quarter of the season.  Injuries, and just general bad play (and arguable bad coaching) has really hurt them.

And if they don't make the Stanley Cup Playoffs this spring, executive Steve Yzerman and head coach Derek Lalonde will get legitimate criticism for the very first time.  And it will be deserved.