NHL scores 2016: Offensive production becoming a problem for Red Wings

It's official, the Detroit Red Wings are in a scoring slump.

No, we're not talking Anaheim Ducks levels of scorelessness here. The Red Wings can still score goals and they most certainly have over their last few games, but they aren't getting their goaltending the goal scoring it deserves.

For netminders Petr Mrazek and Jimmy Howard, the Red Wings offense in front of them has put together seven goals in four games over the last week. In that time, a paltry 1-2-1 record has greeted Detroit since coming off of a four-game winning streak 11 days ago.

A slump such as this can normally be brushed off as just a bad week at the office. Go home, try again in a day or two. That type of thing. Yet, with the faces of the Red Wings organization -- and backbone of their offensive production -- trending closer to age 40 than 30, you can't help but wonder if this is the start of the decline.

As a whole, Detroit isn't lighting up the scoreboard either. According to puckalytics.com, the Red Wings are 21st in the NHL in all situations with a 2.40 goals for per 60 minutes and their 111 goals on the year ties them with the Carolina Hurricanes at the 22nd spot in the league.

Sure, a goal differential of minus-six isn't something to panic over just yet, especially when they dominated the possession game against the Blues Wednesday night in their 2-1 loss at home. But with the Lightning and Panthers right in the mix at the top of the Atlantic, the Red Wings would be wise to find that offensive production sooner rather than later.

Colorado Avalanche 2, Buffalo Sabres 1

Anaheim Ducks 3, Minnesota Wild 1

1. Youth movement strong for Blues

With three goals in his last four games, the Blues' recent call-up from their AHL club has done his best to impress. As a member of the Chicago Wolves this season, 22-year-old Ty Rattie has 23 points in 29 games and was one of the Blues emergency call-ups due to the massive amounts of injuries St. Louis has been hit with over the last few weeks. After scoring his first professional NHL goal on Jan. 12, the Blues forward now has a game-winning goal to add to his resume, as Rattie's first-period goal proved to be a difference maker in their win over Detroit.

Twenty-two year old Dmitrij Jaskin provided the insurance tally for the Blues with his third of the year, breaking a scoreless drought that has stretched back to Dec. 29 of last year. And what a goal it was.

Jaskin goal pic.twitter.com/5JZOJBH1hu

— Stephanie (@myregularface) January 21, 2016

Goaltender Robin Lehner was certainly not happy about this one. Neither were the rest of the Buffalo Sabres, who saw a one-goal lead over the Avalanche evaporate in just 10 minutes time during the third period. With a point almost well in hand on the road, Francois Beauchemin gave the Avalanche the 2-1 victory with 32 seconds to play. It's hard to fault Lehner in this whole thing, as he stopped 33-of-35 shots. If anything, the Sabres only have themselves to blame by falling back on their heels to a desperate Avalanche team.

Pierre doesn't know who Jeff Blashill is. pic.twitter.com/7kuu3SC3hb

— Kyle (@KyleWIIM) January 21, 2016

To be fair, bald men do look the same. Not knowing the head coach of the team you're supposed to be interviewing, though? Just another classic Pierre McGuire moment.