The outcome determined, now it’s time for some harsh, brutal assessment of the 2024-25 Detroit Red Wings season.
Already, Detroit coach Todd McLellan is firing the first salvo. He believes his team was guilty of complacency.
“The players have to give more when they’re here, and we have to value every moment that we’re in it,” McLellan told reporters after practice on Sunday. “I don’t think we did that all the time.
“Sometimes we just take a game for granted, even a period for granted, and it comes back to bite you.”McLellan went on to cite several examples of when the team was letting its collective guard down and allowing the moment to escape through their grasp.
Nearing the Four Nations Face-Off break, the Red Wings were situated in a playoff spot. They were within striking distance of third place in the Atlantic Division.
The final game before the break, they took a major pratfall. Detroit lost 6-4 at home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, giving up four first-period goals.
“I think we were in a good position going into the Four Nations until we played Tampa that game before,” McLellan said. “We talked about that . . . about the importance of that game, and it wasn’t that important to us that night
