The Detroit Red Wings started rookie netminder Jared Coreau to face the Los Angeles Kings Thursday and were rewarded with a 34-save effort in a 4-0 win.
“It feels good, but I don’t think a career is based on one shutout,” Coreau said. “I guess it’s just a feel-good thing.”
Center Andreas Athanasiou (#72) had a goal in Wings win over LA – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
Thomas Vanek picked up two goals for the Wings as Detroit opened up their offense in the first period with three goals.
“Out net presence was better in the first period,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “It’s hard to score in this league, so you’ve got to go to the net. I thought we had a way more concerted effort. I thought we had pretty good jump.”
Andreas Athanasiou responded to a healthy scratch in Anaheim with a goal and Anthony Mantha had a goal as Detroit improved to 17-17-4 after a dismal 2-0 loss in Anaheim to the Ducks.
“When he’s that determined, he’s a big-time talent,” Blashill said. “We’re a better team when [Athanasiou] is going at a high level.”
WATCH: All Red Wings vs. Kings highlights
Jeff Zatkoff took the loss for the Kings on 18 saves as LA fell to 19-16-4.
“We just weren’t winning battles,” Kings defenseman Drew Doughty said. “We were turning pucks over on our backcheck. I know one of those goals was because we turned the puck over, then on the backcheck we lost our coverage. The other ones were just down-low battles that we lost. That’s something we pride ourselves on, winning every little battle, being good in our D zone, and not turning pucks over. That’s why we lost tonight; we didn’t play the way we can.”
The Kings have been riding Jeff Carter’s offensive contributions for weeks and with the obvious shutout Carter’s production was not replaced; that may be passable for the regular season but if the Kings make the playoffs they will need a more balanced scoring attack.
“Jeff Carter has been carrying this team for us, and it seems if he doesn’t get a goal, or whatever it may be, no one steps up and fills that void. We have to start picking it up as a team,” the Kings’ Jordan Nolan said of the lack of offense across the bench.
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