Devils Edge Red Wings 4-3 in Season Opener, Lalonde: ‘This One Will Sting’

To start of the 2023′ season, the Detroit Red Wings featuring their newly reconfigured lineup came up just short in a 4-3 loss to the formidable New Jersey Devils led by Jack Hughes. Despite numerous positive aspects and takeaways throughout the game, In response to the team generating a multitude of offensive opportunities, Head Coach Derek Lalonde admitted that when they reflect on this contest.

“This one will sting.” We’re going to go back and look at it, We’ll probably have out-chanced them. We’re going to accumulate a ton of chances. For the most part, those underlying numbers on the road it’ll say we should have got a point. But we didn’t.”

While Detroit had a strong opening period, creating offensive opportunities organically and outshooting the Devils 14-6, their hot start was later hampered by numerous costly penalties and defensive errors. Ultimately making it challenging to contain the Devils’ high-powered, fast-paced offense down the stretch.

Final from NJ. ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/nznverugRS
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 13, 2023

Dylan Larkin on Detroit’s Offensive Opportunities

Following the game, Red Wings Captain Dylan Larkin expressed confidence in the team’s performance. Emphasizing that despite their inability to convert in crucial scoring opportunities, he harbors no concerns regarding the team’s future scoring capabilities.

“Biggest thing, we didn’t really capitalize on some really good chances in the first period and really all game. Our finishing wasn’t there, and I’m not worried about that. We’ve got a lot of goal scorers in here and if we keep getting looks like that, we’re gonna score a lot.”
https://twitter.com/woodwardsports/status/1712644128440250777

Red Wings Injury Update:

Robby Fabbri – Did Not Practice – (Listed as Day to Day)

Coach Lalonde says Fabbri is unlikely to play Saturday in the Home Opener against Tampa Bay.

Coach Lalonde says Robby Fabbri is day-to-day (did not practice today) and is unlikely for tomorrow’s home opener vs Tampa Bay.
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 13, 2023