Detroit Red Wings Must Overcome Fear of Failure, Says Coach

The Detroit Red Wings are fighting to stop a late-season slide. They have lost two straight games and must claw back into the playoff picture.

Up next: road test in Buffalo

Detroit travels to Buffalo on Friday, March 27. Faceoff is 7 p.m. at KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York.

The Sabres sit at 44-20-8. The Red Wings enter with a 38-25-8 record and 84 points.

Netminding and injury status

Backup Cam Talbot missed Thursday’s practice with an undisclosed injury. He is listed day-to-day.

John Gibson is expected to start his 10th straight game Friday. Gibson may also be pressed into a back-to-back start Saturday.

The Flyers visit Detroit on Saturday in the first of three remaining meetings between the teams.

Sense of urgency

Detroit has 11 games left and the standings are tight. That adds urgency to every matchup.

Two months ago the Wings were atop their division. Now they are scrambling to re-enter the top eight.

Player perspectives

Lucas Raymond said the group must play “desperate playoff hockey” and embrace the stakes. He called this the most fun time of year.

Defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker said the team controls its own destiny. He urged teammates to focus on winning and ignore the scoreboard noise.

Contract news: Bernard-Docker extension

Bernard-Docker, 25, signed a two-year extension worth $1.6 million per season. He previously agreed to a one-year deal at $875,000.

Detroit acquired him after Buffalo did not tender a qualifying offer last summer. He earned a steady role on the third pairing.

Coach Todd McLellan praised Bernard-Docker’s simplicity, physical play, and effectiveness on the penalty kill.

Coaching message and recent miscues

McLellan urged players to play loose but to stay detail-oriented. He emphasized awareness and connection on the ice.

He said the team should be excited about the opportunity at success rather than anxious about the fear of failure. The coach said confidence matters now.

Costly turnover against Ottawa

In the recent 3-2 home loss to Ottawa, Marco Kasper turned the puck over in the neutral zone. That pass led directly to Ottawa’s third goal.

McLellan called it a momentary lapse caused by game pressure. He noted such mistakes can swing outcomes late in the season.

For more coverage and team updates, follow the Red Wings section at Filmogaz.com. Television coverage Friday is on FanDuel Sports Network Detroit. Radio is WXYT-FM 97.1.