Formula for turning around one-goal games that stare the Red Wings in the face

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings could learn a lesson about winning one-goal games from today’s opponent.

The Colorado Avalanche have a record of 8-1-0 in games decided by a goal. The Red Wings have been winless in four games (0-2-2) and each game has been decided by a goal. Detroit’s last six losses have been one-goal games, including three in overtime.

If the Red Wings (10-12-4) had won even half of those games, they might be in the playoffs today.

“Without a doubt it adds to the frustration,” coach Derek Lalonde said. “The encouraging part is our process. We could sit here and talk about a three-game winning streak. The underlying numbers probably tell us we should have won all three games, but we didn’t.

“We have to find a way to create our own breaks, play the opposing teams’ game at the end and stick with it. But there’s no doubt about it, there’s definitely a lot of frustration involved because we’re a pretty good group when it comes to taking responsibility for our performance and we’ve done some good things.”

Defender Moritz Seider added: “I think we first have to take the positive thing with us, that we are there until the last second in every single game. And of course, on the other hand, we have to find ways to win these hockey games. I mean, you’re putting so much at risk and it’s really frustrating when you don’t get the results you want. We just have to make sure we mature a little bit and find ways to win hockey games because they’re all winnable games.”

The Avalanche (14-13-0) have top-notch talent in forwards Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen and defenseman Cale Makar, but only have four points more than the Red Wings.

Colorado has dominated this once-in-a-lifetime bitter and bloody rivalry, going 11-0-1 in its last 12 games against Detroit, whose only win in that span came on February 22 of this year (2-1 in overtime).

“We have the ability to win these games,” Jeff Petry said. “Now it’s just a matter of finding a way, whether it’s keeping the lead in the third period and not sitting back and giving teams more leeway, whether it’s trying to play a safe game or whether a tie occurs before the third period or in extra time. We’re just making sure we do a little bit more to make sure we get the two points.”

Rasmussen’s dimension

Michael Rasmussen remains at the helm with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond and the first power play unit, providing dimension with his 6-6 frame.

“He goes to the net, he gets to the net, he keeps plays alive, he checks for these guys,” Lalonde said. “They were very good. They scored the two goals in Boston and had plenty of chances (Thursday). There is a night like tonight where the matchups are very dangerous and Dylan will obviously push us and get a lot of minutes. I think the addition of Ras also gives them a bit of control, especially given some potentially difficult matchups.”

The lineup

Ville Husso will start for the third time in a row, while Sebastian Cossa is catching up again. Lalonde said Cam Talbot and Alex Lyon (lower-body injuries) will be out at least until Monday’s game in Buffalo.

Joe Veleno and Erik Gustafsson replace Christian Fischer and Albert Johansson.