The Detroit Red Wings have a few things to blame on this loss to the Phoenix Coyotes, but the major factor was the play of their defensive units. Our Wings site, Winging It In Motown, had this to say on their performance:
Detroit’s Defense Failed Jimmy Howard In Game Three Loss
The defense was a particularly bad effort in today’s game and it didn’t help Howard out one bit. It looked early on that it might be a game where Howard might struggle with rebound control and the defensive lapses that have plagued the Wings all season long struck back with a vengeance today.
Credit’s due to Phoenix though as they played most of the game without captain Shane Doan and actually played better. Doan went shoulder first into the boards after tripping over Howard. After Doan’s departure, the Coyotes played a more structured game and passed better. They outworked Detroit in a lot of aspects in this game and took a win because of that.
Whether Detroit’s offense can makeup for those miscues like they did in Game Two will determine how far the Red Wings go in this best of seven series.











