NHL News: Todd McLellan issues harsh message to Red Wings after deflating loss vs Capitals

The Detroit Red Wings fell to the NHL’s juggernaut, the Washington Capitals, and head coach Todd McLellan couldn’t hold back his thoughts on the game.

The Detroit Red Wings travelled to the nation’s capital, to take on the Washington Capitals, but they were unable to clear the bar in a pivotal test. Todd McLellan and his team discovered they are still well behind NHLpowerhouses like the Caps, as they suffered a very harsh defeat at Capital One Arena.

The Red Wings managed to keep up with the Capitals’ pace for 40 minutes, but Washington ultimately blew the doors off Detroit in the third period. The Caps scored three goals in the final frame, sending the Wings back home with a crucial loss amid their playoff push.

Detroit entered the matchup with high expectations, hoping to build on their recent 3-0 win over the Vegas Golden Knights, yet they dropped the ball, squandering a golden opportunity to pull within one point of the wildcard spots in the NHL standings.

Words are wind, and after the lackluster performance, McLellan delivered a firm message to the locker room. If the franchise is serious about ending their eight-year playoff drought, they cannot fall short like they did against Washington.

That has to get fixed” McLellan said, via The Detroit News. “That’s the only way we’re going to improve as a hockey club, rebound from things that don’t go our way and to have that happen is disappointing. That implosion didn’t make any sense to me.