Keller, Ekman-Larsson Lead Coyotes Past Struggling Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings lost again Sunday night when they hosted the Arizona Coyotes. In fact, they are in danger of not reaching the 10-win mark before 2019 ends. They will only have three more opportunities to do so before the calendar flips.
The Coyotes registered 45 shots on net, and took the lead early, never to look back. Clayton Keller scored a pair of goals within a span of three minutes in the first period. Both Nick Schmaltz and Oliver Ekman-Larsson assisted on each goal.
Carl Soderberg made it 3-0 just 39 seconds into the second, as he redirected a spin-around shot by Keller, which was then misplayed by Jimmy Howard into his own net.
Howard returned from injury Sunday night after missing significant time due to injury. He recently completed a conditioning stint in Grand Rapids.
Taylor Hall, recently acquired in a trade with the New Jersey Devils made it 4-0 shortly after on a rocket wrister that found the top corner.
It wasn’t until Filip Zadina got the Red Wings on the board with ten to play that the team had anything going for them. Here’s what he had to say after the game:
30 seconds later, Christian Dvorak restored the four-goal lead for Arizona.
Then Tyler Bertuzzi snapped in a goal in tight for the final score of 5-2.
The woes continue for the league’s worst team, as they have now dropped four straight. Between a month-long losing streak and now, the Wings did manage to squeak out two wins, but not before losing that momentum quickly.
Jimmy Howard had a few great saves that prevented the game from becoming a complete blowout.
Frans Nielsen record his third assist of the season. It is a dreadful season for the Danish veteran who once scored 25 goals and 58 points five years ago. Among forwards, only Cristoffer Ehn (0.038) and Adam Erne (0.069) have a lower points-per-game than Nielsen (0.091). For reference, goalie Jonathan Bernier has as many points as Nielsen and Justin Abdelkader, and more points than Erne, Brendan Perlini, Ehn, Alex Biega, and Trevor Daley.
Although things aren’t looking too great right now, fans in Detroit can watch the team’s future compete in the upcoming World Junior Championship, beginning this week.
World Junior Championship
The following are players in the Red Wings’ organization playing in the 2020 World Junior Championship, which starts December 26th.
Canada – Jared McIsaac – Defense
Canada – Joe Veleno – Forward
Germany – Moritz Seider – Defense
Sweden – Jesper Eliasson – Goalie
Sweden – Jonatan Berggren – Forward
Expectations are especially high for first-round draft picks Joe Veleno and Moritz Seider, both playing with the Grand Rapids Griffins this season. They have both played very well in the American League in their first professional seasons. Veleno played five games in the tournament last year.
A Look Ahead
The Wings are now on their Christmas break and will resume play on Saturday.
Saturday @ Florida (7:00 ET)
Sunday 12/29 @ Tampa Bay (7:00)
Tuesday 12/31 vs. San Jose (7:30)
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Kevin Sporka
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