Jeff Blashill is looking forward, not back.
The Detroit Red Wings head coach delivered some real talk after his team was blown out 7-2 at home by the Pittsburgh Penguins in a game that, like most at this time of year, was virtually a must-win.
Blashill didn't go into too many specifics about the game, saying tape would be watched and adding that he knows only one thing moving forward:
"I know we gotta win a hockey game Monday," he said.
Detroit's first-year head coach once again said his squad didn't show enough resiliency after being scored upon, allowing the Penguins to take control of momentum and the game. The Red Wings opened the scoring and led 1-0 after 20 minutes, but Pittsburgh erupted for four second-period goals, putting the game away.
"It's a loss," Blashill said. "It was frustrating, it was embarrassing, but it's a loss. That's it. So we have to win a game on Monday.
"I have tons of belief in these guys. We gotta come here and win a game on Monday, period."
The Buffalo Sabres are in Detroit on Monday. Should the Red Wings lose that game, their streak of 24 straight seasons competing in the playoffs will almost surely end over the next two weeks.
Blashill added his team must do a better job of keeping the puck out of its net, but wouldn't say if Petr Mrazek or Jimmy Howard would start Monday. Mrazek was pulled after allowing four goals on 27 shots Saturday. Howard didn't fare much better, allowing three goals on 14 shots.
Detroit's tied with the Philadelphia Flyers for the second wild-card spot in the East with 85 points, but the Flyers will have a game in hand after Saturday night. Philly's in Arizona to face the Coyotes late Saturday. They can pull two points ahead of Detroit with a win.
