DETROIT -- If you look at the big picture, it doesn’t look encouraging.
The Detroit Red Wings are winless in their last 10 overtime games at Joe Louis Arena.
They have failed to record a victory in their last six games at the Joe after falling to the Winnipeg Jets 3-2 in a shootout Tuesday night.
Perhaps even more alarming, the Wings have scored two or fewer goals in eight of their 10 home games this season.
Still, after Tuesday’s loss, the Wings were disappointed but optimistic that they're finally turning their struggles at home around.
“It's tough when you don’t get two points, but we did a lot of good things,” Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg said. “We played good defense, we created enough chances to win, and Howie (goalie Jimmy Howard) played well enough to win the game.
“But we can’t find a way to go all the way. It’s frustrating. Obviously, we want to win, but right now, we can’t find a way.”
Zetterberg added that the Wings need to dwell on the positives, such as scoring on the power play, having a better penalty kill and playing a much tighter game against the Jets than they did versus the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.
He believes that if the Wings keep improving on a few aspects of their game, like they did Tuesday, the victories will come, which is a sentiment echoed by his coach.
“We didn’t win, but I thought we played good," Mike Babcock said. "I liked our game today, start to finish ... I liked our penalty kill. I liked our power play. I liked our game.
“I feel real good. I know we’d like to get the second point, but I liked the way we played. To me, it’s going in the right direction. It’s a real positive game for us.’’
Perhaps the most positive aspect was the resurgence of the Wings' anemic power play. The Wings were 2 of 4 with the man advantage, with both goals scored by Pavel Datsyuk.
“We scored two (on the power play)," Datsyuk said. "We did not score in a few games, and it was good that we scored. We just need to keep this rolling. We played well.
“All three games we’ve played (on the current home stand) have gone to overtime or shootout. Every game we’re playing better and better. We just need a little bit, one more step.”
Statistically, the Wings played a complete game, outshooting the Jets 43-21. They also shut down Winnipeg’s power play (0 for 3) and won the face-off battle.
“I’m a big believer that you keep plugging," Babcock said. "Sometimes you win games when you’re playing real well that you should probably lose. I thought this was a game we could have won easy tonight.
"To me, that’s going in the right direction.’’
The Wings conclude their four-game home stand Friday night, when the Washington Capitals visit Joe Louis Arena.
