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Red Wings' McLellan sends stern message to team: 'We expect them to bring it'`
Photo credit: NHL.com
Head Coach Todd McLellan of the Detroit Red Wings issued a stern message to his players ahead of their game against the Boston Bruins on Saturday: "We expect them to bring it."
Sitting in 5th in the Atlantic Division, the Detroit Red Wings needed a win to break their ongoing slump.
The team had a record of 13-11-1 and has plenty of talent, which could change their trajectory on the fly. However, in their last three games, they've given up 16 goals and lost to the New Jersey Devils, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Nashville Predators.
The Red Wings took a loss against the Boston Bruins, who were 14-12-0 and 3rd in the Atlantic heading into Saturday's game.
Todd McLellan challenged his players during his Red Wings pre-game interview on Saturday after going through a three-game slump, which needed to be broken.
"The tools exist in there (the dressing room)," McLellan said. "We expect the players to bring it, and we can't go back and wallow in what we did or didn't do last night or the day before. The same thing is going on next door with (the Bruins). Put it behind you and clean a few things up individually, and we'll be okay."
The Detroit Red Wings lose to the Boston Bruins at TD Garden Saturday
McLellan wouldn't hesitate to hold his players accountable in a recent loss, as he felt they needed to clean up their act.
For a Red Wings team that was once the hottest team in the Atlantic, they have the tools with Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider, Dylan Larkin, Patrick Kane, and others to put a lid on the Bruins' ascent in the division.
The Red Wings needed to put on a show on the road to secure a win.
That means playing with a purpose and a true 200-foot game and could mean the next-man-up mentality if stars aren't producing, but that sadly never came to fruition.
Other players have stepped up to be bright spots in the lineup, including defenseman Ben Chiarot, who has been a sound option on the blue line playing next to Axel Sandin Pellikka.
If you hadn't caught it beforehand, here is the updated Red Wings lineup that Todd McLellan adjusted against the Bruins.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 29 | 528 ANSWERS Red Wings' McLellan sends stern message to team: 'We expect them to bring it'` Do you think Head Coach Todd McLellan is the right leader for the Detroit Red Wings? | ||
| Yes | 420 | 79.5 % |
| No | 108 | 20.5 % |
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