After Larkin, Blashill now takes the blame

Despite a brave performance and a great comeback, the Red Wings lost their 8th consecutive game on Sunday against the St. Louis Blues. Having lost in overtime, the Red Wings earned their first point in a long time.

Last week, Dylan Larkin took responsibility for the team's poor performances. He explained that had to lead the team from the front and that he needed to perform better offensively and defensively. After his great display of leadership in the dressing room, Larkin continued with a great performance on the ice against the defending Stanley Cup champions. He had a two-point night with one goal and one assist in what was a great group effort.

The Red Wings still have not found a way to win despite all of that and following Sunday's defeat, head coach Jeff Blashill took a page out of Larkin's book as he took the blame for the loss. In doing so, he highlighted a major issue in Detroit's game against the Blues.

When Ryan O'Reilly scored his second goal of the game, tying up the score at 4-4 late in the third period, the Wings were killing a penalty called for too many men on the ice. Blashill took full responsibility for the error that potentially cost Detroit the win.

"It's my bench, I'm responsible for it. (...) We have players on the bench, we have coaches on the bench, there's no way we can end up with too many men.", said the coach, adding emphatically: "We've taken a couple. It's a joke. There's no way possible way that that can happen at that point."

Blashill was visibly vexed by his players' lack of concentration on that particular play. "We have to know who we are changing for.", he explained. However, he seemed above all disappointed in himself for having managed his bench poorly. "Ultimately, that's my responsibility, so i'll take responsibility for it."

It seems quite obvious that a coach must take responsibility when his team is struggling like Detroit has. Blashill's players will undoubtedly appreciate him taking part of the blame, but the Wings' coach will have to do something concrete to get his team back in the win column. If he doesn't he may very well have to take responsibility for a whole lot more than his bench management.