Red Wings' defensive woes worsen ahead of American Thanksgiving

As American Thanksgiving approaches in November 2024, various NHL teams are becoming increasingly concerning. The Detroit Red Wings are currently struggling defensively, recording a dismal 13.4 goals against per 60 minutes, marking the worst in the analytics era. Their struggles continue to be exacerbated by their inability to generate sufficient offense, making defensive issues even more pronounced. Meanwhile, the Nashville Predators have emerged as the most disappointing team this season, struggling on both the offensive and defensive ends. Their goaltending has been lackluster, particularly with Ryan Lindgren’s pairing with Jacob Trouba failing to minimize goals against in critical situations. In a similar vein, the Carolina Hurricanes are dealing with goalie health concerns, as Kochetkov has only demonstrated a reasonable level of performance. If he remains unavailable, the team must rely on their strong systems to navigate these challenges effectively. The Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets have showcased impressive goal-saving statistics, highlighting some teams’ contrasting predicaments. The Colorado Avalanche are also facing goaltending reliability issues as they aim to fortify their defensive capabilities. The Edmonton Oilers are facing unexpected scoring challenges despite having good shot quality, indicating that they must regroup to avoid further complications. Overall, as teams evaluate their performances past the quarter mark of the 2024 season, the importance of adjusting strategies and improving defense becomes increasingly crucial. With critical matchups and player uncertainties ahead, teams must make necessary adjustments to remain competitive as the season progresses.