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The Detroit Red Wings' offensive deficiencies were on full display once again in a 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night, marking their fourth straight defeat. Over that four-game skid, the Red Wings have managed just five goals total, and they have now been held to two or fewer goals in nine of their 19 games this season (47.2%). Detroit has also been shut out three times.
This lack of scoring helps explain why the Red Wings are reluctant to trade captain Dylan Larkin unless they receive a proven scorer or center in return. Similarly, if interim general manager Shawn Horcoff were to move restricted free agent defenseman Simon Edvinsson, any deal would almost certainly require a young scorer coming back to Detroit. The team continues to scout potential trade partners to address its scoring needs.
Game Recap
Despite the final score, the Red Wings actually held a 1-0 lead after the first period, thanks to Andrew Copp's goal with 13 seconds remaining in the opening frame. It was only the sixth time this season that Detroit scored first. However, the Blues responded in the second period, tying the game on Pius Suter's 100th NHL goal and 200th career point, and then took the lead on Justin Barron's go-ahead marker at 2:34 of the middle period.
St. Louis extended its lead to 3-1 when Jimmy Snuggerud scored at 15:58 of the third period. That insurance goal proved crucial, as Moritz Seider netted his first of the season late in the third to pull Detroit within one. The Red Wings battled hard for the puck in the final minute but couldn't find the equalizer.
Key Stats and Takeaways
Detroit managed only 12 shots through the first two periods but exploded for 20 shots on Blues goaltender Joel Hofer in the third period. However, the late surge was too little, too late. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard delivered a game-high 10 hits, while Marco Kasper returned from an undisclosed injury that had sidelined him since Opening Night, and Mason Appleton played for the first time since the second game of the season. Carter Mazur was a healthy scratch.
The Red Wings are now 0-2 on their current four-game road trip and will look to rebound Thursday at the Florida Panthers at 7:30 p.m. Detroit defeated the Panthers 5-3 in Sunrise eight days ago.
Originally reported by yahoo.