Red Wings loss to Predators leaves too many questions unanswered

Henrik Zetterberg (40) looks to the heavens for answers (AP, Jerry Mendoza)

As defending Stanley Cup champions, the Detroit Red Wings have earned the benefit of the doubt.

But more and more doubt is beginning to surface about their chances to repeat as Stanley Cup champions.

How do you feel about their chances following back-to-back losses at home where they failed to display any passion or desire for four of the six periods?

When will the Red Wings rise above the play of their opponents and play to their full potential for a full 60 minutes?

How do you explain a 2-0 loss at home to the last place team, the New York Islanders, who trail you by 51 points in the standings?

How can you give up three goals in the final ten minutes and lose to Nashville who played less than 24 hours earlier, and did not dress two of the their top goal scorers, whose combined 47 goals represents 25% of Nashville's total offense?

When will this team provide evidence that it is ready for the playoffs which begin in just two weeks?

When will the turnovers stop? Another 10 turnovers by Detroit against Nashville who had just one.

Plain and simple, the Red Wings should have beaten Nashville, and had the opportunity and the motivation to do it in convincing fashion, as I wrote yesterday the Predators were stepping into the perfect storm in Detroit.

The Red Wings had lost to the lowly New York Islanders in their last game, at home no less, 2-0. The last time they played Nashville they were emabarrased 8-0. The Predators had to play on Saturday, and went to overtime. They were without two of there top three goal scorers. This was a potential first round matchup in the playoffs which are just two weeks away.

Everything favoured Detroit, and still they lost by giving up the lead in the third period, again, as I stated above, to a team that played into overtime yesterday. How? Why?

Or for those that are of the glass is half full perspective, is there any reason to be concerned? Afterall they are fighting for first place overall and the Presidents' Trophy, right? They are the top offensive team in the league, and while they have struggled on defense and in goal at times this season, the playoffs will provide the motivation that is lacking for a team that knows what it takes to win the Cup.

Maybe it's because they are the defending Stanley Cup champions and their roster is loaded from top to bottom that the media and some fans expect them to win convincingly and at will? Maybe it's the expectations of regular season dominance game-in and game-out that is misplaced?

After a recent game against Columbus, and again today against Nashville, their players talked about fighting for their playoff lives and scraping for every point just to get into the post season and what a big win it was against Detroit. When will Detroit match that desparation and approach their pursuit of the Presidents' Trophy and preparation for the post season in the same meaningful manner and talk about what a good win it was for them?

Can they "turn it on" in the playoffs? Do they have anything to turn on? Will it be too late?

What are your thoughts on these questions and the team's chances in the playoffs based on their play this season and more specifically, recently?