Red Wings players respond to Todd McLellan's call out: "Unacceptable"
Photo credit: NHL.com
The Detroit Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan called out his players after an "unacceptable" effort in game one, and the team responded in the best possible way.
Starting the Centennial season with a 5-1 loss was a disappointment for everyone in the Detroit Red Wings organization.
There's a lot at stake this year. Although General Manager Steve Yzerman reassured that he trusts the process and isn't focused on making the playoffs this year, a lack of results could end up costing him his job.
As for head coach Todd McLellan, starting the first full season behind the bench with a loss was tough to swallow.
After the game, he didn't shy away from calling out his players:
"You don't give up two-on-ones. If a D is down, a forward covers. You manage the puck, you don't turn it over.
Now, if it happened once or twice in a game, it'd be okay. But, there were maybe six or seven outnumbered rushes at the end of the first periodfrom the 10-minute mark on.
It's unacceptable.
The players will probably say, 'we can fix this.' When? It's time. Some of them have been doing it for years. It's time. We just spent three weeks at training camp dealing with these situations.
"It was clearly one team that managed it well and took advantage of the chances they had. And another team that created multiple opportunities for the opposition."
Now, if it happened once or twice in a game, it'd be okay. But, there were maybe six or seven outnumbered rushes at the end of the first periodfrom the 10-minute mark on.
It's unacceptable.
The players will probably say, 'we can fix this.' When? It's time. Some of them have been doing it for years. It's time. We just spent three weeks at training camp dealing with these situations.
"It was clearly one team that managed it well and took advantage of the chances they had. And another team that created multiple opportunities for the opposition."
The Canadiens played a great game, managing to limit the Wings' top offensive producers to a single goal. At the blue line, a tight game with quick transitions made things a lot harder for the Wings, and doubts emerged about the team after only one game played.
Red Wings Bounce Back After Ugly Loss To Canadiens By Beating The Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs, who won 5-2 against the Canadiens earlier this week, had a great start to the game, scoring the first two goals in the first period. But that didn't stop the Wings from bringing their game to the next level and coming back to win 6 to 3.
McLellan was happy with the response: he saw his players give less to the opponent and bring more energy in every shifts:
"We didn't give up a bushelful of odd-numbered rushes, which is a good sign,» Red Wings coach Todd McLellan said. «We played with more pop and more energy."
"At that point, we had given up seven straight goals, but we didn't roll over. We were disappointed at what had transpired, but we settled in and played well."
"At that point, we had given up seven straight goals, but we didn't roll over. We were disappointed at what had transpired, but we settled in and played well."
Consistency is key to making the playoffs in the NHL. Let's see if the Wings can bring the same level for the rest of the season.
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