Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde speaks frankly after badly-needed win
Detroit Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde spoke frankly after his team picked up a valuable pair of points during Thursday night's game against the Islanders in Detroit.
Just when it seemed like the Detroit Red Wings and New York Islanders were heading for overtime, forward Lucas Raymond stepped up in a major way by scoring the game-winner with 52 seconds left.
And in doing so, he helped to take some of the intense focus off head coach Derek Lalonde in the process.
The Red Wings head coach had been feeling the heat in recent days, especially after his team's 0-2-1 road trip in California which included losses to the lowly Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks.
He stopped short of saying there was a general feeling of relief, instead noting that the Red Wings got the result they deserved in the end.
Thursday's game started ominously with the Islanders taking an early 1-0 lead and holding it until late in the third period.
However, the Red Wings not only tied the score with under five minutes left thanks to Jonatan Berggren but took the lead with 52 seconds left thanks to Raymond's third goal of the year.
Lalonde and the Red Wings will enjoy the victory before they turn their attention to their upcoming slate of games, which includes four of their next five games on home ice.
| POLL | ||
Did the Red Wings' victory against the Islanders save Derek Lalonde's job? | ||
| Yes, he earned more time | 25 | 32.1 % |
| No, one more bad loss and that's it | 53 | 67.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
