Even through their worst slump of the season, the Detroit Red Wings rarely needed to worry about any defensive liabilities.
Whether that mindset still holds following their worst defensive performance may become clear Wednesday night when the Red Wings face the New Jersey Devils (7 p.m. pregame, 7:30 tip-off on FOX Sports Detroit).
Detroit followed a six-game skid with two straight victories but came screeching to a halt Monday, losing 5-2 to Boston while allowing season worsts in goals and shots (45).
"It's like anything," coach Mike Babcock said. "If you're humbled and embarrassed by the way you play, you do something about it.
"I can tell you I am, because that's ridiculous."
Jimmy Howard made 40 saves for Detroit (19-9-9) but secured his fourth loss in five decisions and fell to 14-6-7 after picking up the victory in Saturday's overtime win against the Senators.
"Howard kept us in the game and gave us a chance in Ottawa, Howard kept us in the game when we were down going into the third (Monday)," Babcock said. "But as a group, the coaching staff prides itself on preparation and having your team ready - no good. Leadership group, no good. Individually, no good. Not good enough, no way."
Detroit's offensive production has also declined of late. Including a six-goal effort against Buffalo on Dec. 23, the Red Wings have averaged 1.9 over their past nine games.
Johan Franzen has been unable to jump-start the offense, though that could change Wednesday. The 10th-year winger has scored just once in his past 17 overall, but has five goals in his last five meetings with the Devils.
New Jersey (13-18-7) enters its final game of 2014 following a 3-1 win over Pittsburgh on Monday that snapped a three-game losing streak and was the first victory for co-coaches Scott Stevens and Adam Oates.
The Devils continue to experiment with their leadership structure after firing coach Peter DeBoer on Friday. New Jersey will operate with three co-head coaches on the bench - Stevens, Oates and general manager Lou Lamoriello - for the immediate future.
They snapped a three-game power-play drought on Monday and recorded more than 21 shots for the first time in four games. New Jersey is 8-3-3 when it scores three or more goals, but just 5-15-4 when they fail to reach that mark.
"That's kind of the formula we found for the way we've got to play," said Scott Gomez. "There's no sugarcoating it. We're happy for the way we played (Monday), but its a whole new day, whole new challenge."
Michael Cammalleri leads New Jersey with 11 goals but has failed to record a point in his last six games. Adam Henrique has emerged as the primary scoring threat with Cammalleri silenced and got his 10th goal in the win over the Penguins.
Corey Schneider is slated to make his NHL-leading 35th start. He owns a 2.45 goals against average and took the losses in two previous meetings with Detroit this season.
The Red Wings beat the Devils 4-2 in Detroit on Nov. 7 for their 11th win in the last 12 home matchups dating to 1997.
