Red Wings complete lineup move with prominent forward in hopes for a spark of offense
Photo credit: NHL.com
The Detroit Red Wings have completed a lineup change involving a prominent forward in hopes of sparking offense following a tough loss against the New York Rangers.
On Friday night, the Detroit Red Wings lost 4 to 1 against the New York Rangers, extending their losing streak to two games, thus failing to grab the first rank in the Atlantic Division away from the Montreal Canadiens.
That loss highlighted the offensive struggles in Detroit. In the past four games, the team has only managed to score six goals.
Even if the Wings were able to count on Patrick Kane being back in the lineup, they couldn't generate much offense, scoring only one goal against the Rangers.
This can be explained by the lack of offensive depth, but also by the underwhelming production of certain players, including Marco Kasper.
Wings Announce Lineup Change Involving Marco Kasper Amid Tough Start To The Season
In 15 games so far this season, Kasper, 21, has tallied only three points, all goals. Last season, Kasper scored 19 goals and 18 assists in 77 games as a rookie in the NHL.
It's safe to say that more is expected from him, both from his organization and Kasper himself.
After the loss against the Rangers, and ahead of tomorrow afternoon's game against the Chicago Blackhawks, McLellan announced that he removed Kasper from the second-line center spot to place him at left wing on the third line.
Here's what the coach had to say about Kasper and the lineup change:
"(Kasper's) play hasn't matched what we expected from him and probably from himself. I'd think he would tell you that.
So we'll put him on the wing and let him play there a little bit and see how that works. Or in the middle. We'll figure it all out. But we'll mix things up as we go and try to get him back to where he needs to be.
If you remember last year when he was really playing well, he was taking people to the net. He was drawing penalties, drew more penalties than most players on our team down the stretch, scored on rebounds, deflections, shot it off the goaltender and went and got it himself. I remember a two on one that he did that. We haven't seen that pop out of him."
So we'll put him on the wing and let him play there a little bit and see how that works. Or in the middle. We'll figure it all out. But we'll mix things up as we go and try to get him back to where he needs to be.
If you remember last year when he was really playing well, he was taking people to the net. He was drawing penalties, drew more penalties than most players on our team down the stretch, scored on rebounds, deflections, shot it off the goaltender and went and got it himself. I remember a two on one that he did that. We haven't seen that pop out of him."
The player also shared his thoughts on his performances so far this season:
"I don't think I've played the best how I want to play. Worked hard over this summer. I think I work hard every day. But sometimes you go through phases where you just don't maybe play the way you want to play. Sometimes it's frustrating. Now, we've lost two games. It's no fun to lose games and then maybe not be in your A game Just trying to go out there tomorrow and play a good game and get back on the winning side, too."
Kasper will complete a line with Mason Appleton and Andrew Copp, while J.T. Compher will center Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat on the second line.
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