'No energy, no pop': Wings blanked 4-0 by Coyotes, losing streak at four games

Tempe, Arizona — The Red Wings didn't do much at all leading to the end of Friday's NHL trade deadline, then followed up later in the evening not doing much in a 4-0 loss to the Arizona Coyotes.

Arizona scored three first-period goals, then pretty much coasted, as the Wings lost for a fourth consecutive game, with a visit to Stanley Cup champion Vegas on Saturday (10 p.m./BSD/97.1).

The Wings (33-24-6) failed to take advantage on the three teams surrounding them in the playoff race, all of whom were idle.

The first period, a mostly nonchalant 20 minutes of hockey from the Wings, was troubling.

"I have no idea, very disappointing," said coach Derek Lalonde of the start. "I thought the guys were ready. We had a packed house of Red Wings fans, it felt like a home game in warmups. It was just an inability to compete early on and the lost battles, we were much better in the second.

"If we could have started the game like we did in the second, it could have been a much different outcome."

BOX SCORE: Coyotes 4, Red Wings 0

What's concerning Lalonde during this four-game losing streak?

"No energy, no pop," Lalonde said. "It goes into a little bit of lack of details. Some easy goals against. I'm hoping a little bit of the effort we showed in the second (period) and flashes in the third can be a standard that we can use going forward."

Arizona goalie Connor Ingram stopped 28 shots, frustrating the Wings the few quality scoring chances they had.

Without captain Dylan Larkin (lower-body) in the lineup, general manager Steve Yzerman said after Friday's trade deadline the Wings' balanced scoring was going to be crucial to make up for the lost offense, but also talked about the importance of having strong team defense.

The offense has two goals in the last two games. The defensive play was a staple during January and February's hot streak, but the Wings have allowed 20 goals over the last four losses, not a good way to earn victories.

"We have to try to focus on the two or less (goals allowed) that we've talked about for a number of months now," forward Andrew Copp said. "Focus on the team defense, penalty kill needs to get better.

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"That was my fault today on the seem (Coyotes power-play goal from Logan Cooley), can't have that and especially down 2-0. But it's just a commitment to good team defense, and especially with 71 (Larkin) we're not as high octane offensively.

"We have plenty of capable players who can put the puck in the net, but we have to commit to the defense."

The Coyotes entered the game winners of only two of their last 10 games but started quickly in this game.

Jack McBain put back a rebound in front at 2 minutes, 35 seconds of the first period, McBain's seventh goal.

Arizona kept pressing, and Alex Kerfoot made it 2-0 with his 11th goal at 8:05 with a deflection past Lyon.

The Coyotes pushed the lead to 3-0 at 17:04 when Logan Cooley scored his 11th on a one-timer.

"We didn't jump on them right away and we needed to do that," defenseman Jake Walman said. "We were a little loose and you can't do that against any team in this league."

Nick Bjugstad added his 15th goal in the second period.

The Wings had better jump and more offensive chances over the last 40 minutes. But Ingram was effective in net for Arizona, and the Wings weren't able to finish those chances.

"We haven't handled Dylan being out well this year but as a group, everyone has to do a little bit more," Lalonde said. "It's just disappointing, the start. Hopefully we can build off that second period, but that start in the first was alarming."

The Wings have recalled forward Jonatan Berggren from Grand Rapids. Berggren will be in the lineup Saturday in Vegas after earning 46 points (19 goals, 27 assists) in 43 games with the Griffins. Berggren has two goals and three assists in nine games with the Wings this season.

"Hopefully he can provide a little spark," Lalonde said. "We'll have 12 forwards again. Hopefully we can bottle up some of our compete to start the second (period) going forward."

tkulfan@detroitnews.com

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