Detroit Red Wings Struggle To Successfully Close Out Games In Third Period

Detroit Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill has desperately been attempting in the last few weeks to instill in his team the ‘killer instinct’ that will allow them to successfully close out games.

The Red Wings lost 2-1 to the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. “It seems like it’s happening a little bit too often,” forward Brad Richards said. “We’ve got to learn as a team to go into the third period, late in the third period, with the lead, we’ve got to close it out and lock it down. I’m sure we’re going to talk about that and go over that more this week with some time off here.” Detroit has lost third period leads in nine of its last 14 games.

The Red Wings have been outscored 31-21 in the third period, and Richards has stated that it’s not always a defensive issue. The offense also has to step up and score goals.

The Red Wings will next face the Vancouver Canucks at home on Friday.

PHOTO: NEWARK, NJ – DECEMBER 11: Niklas Kronwall #55 of the Detroit Red Wings fires a shot at Cory Schneider #35 of the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on December 11, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Red Wings 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)