Goals, goals, goals. It’s all about goals.
The simplest way for a team to win more games is to score more goals. It doesn’t matter where they come from as long as the puck ends up in the back of the net more often.
The Detroit Red Wings recently acquired Vladimir Tarasenko, who has two goals. The sniper has only eight points in 20 games so far. He’s currently on the worst goal-pace he has ever had in his career. If things continue, he is on pace to score eight goals.
His current 0.40 points-per-game pace is also the worst of his career. Until this year, the worst point pace he’s ever had was 0.5 in his rookie season in 2012-13.
The Red Wings have the fifth-worst goals-for total in the NHL. Only the Chicago Blackhawks (49), Anaheim Ducks (50), Boston Bruins (51), and the Nashville Predators (52) have scored less this season.
The Russian winger has scored 23, 18, and 34 goals over the past three seasons. If the Red Wings can help ignite Tarasenko to score at least 20 goals this season, it will help the team improve their 9-10-2 record.
Tarasenko’s shooting percentage has been poor this season. This year, he is sitting at 6.5 percent, nearly half his career average of 12.8 percent.
His lack of goal scoring is further compounded by one simple fact: the new winger is shooting the puck less.
#RedWings power play units:
1. Rasmussen (net front), Larkin (bumper), DeBrincat-Raymond (flanks), Seider (point).
2. Compher (net front), Copp (bumper), Tarasenko-Kasper (flanks), Petry (point).
Based on this, look like Kane (upper body injury) and Gustafsson out tonight. pic.twitter.com/nXnODPkt4R— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) November 27, 2024
Tarasenko is averaging 1.6 shots on goal per game. His career average is 3.0. Unfortunately, since 2021-22, he has been experiencing a decline in shot volume.
All in all, the Russian needs to be shooting more to be scoring more. He may wear out his welcome sooner than anticipated if things don’t turn around soon.
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