Jeff Blashill 2-18-16

Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill has made some questionable decisions with ice time.

(The Associated Press)

DETROIT - Coming out of the All-Star break refreshed and as healthy as they have been in some time, playing at home against the team with the worst winning percentage in the Eastern Conference, Tuesday's game was one the Detroit Red Wings desperately needed to win.

Instead, they lost 4-3 to the New Jersey Devils.

Many of the same issues resurfaced, notably a bad start, a dismal power play and an untimely goal against that sapped momentum.

Add to that questionable management of ice time.

The Red Wings went 1 for 5 on the power play. They spent 8:15 on the man-advantage, including a five-on-three for 1:16 in the first period and a six-on-four late in regulation after pulling goaltender Jared Coreau.

But, Andreas Athanasiou did not log any time on the power play. Dylan Larkin saw only 31 seconds. Athanasiou had six goals in his previous 11 games and 11 goals in 34 games for the season. Larkin, back after missing two games with an upper-body injury, is tied for the team lead with 12 goals.

Darren Helm played 3:29 and Justin Abdelkader 3:20 on the power play.

Coach Jeff Blashill, before the game, cited Helm's puck-retrieval ability as the reason he was on the power play ahead of the younger, skilled players. And Abdelkader was there for his net-front presence.

Fair enough to start, but after failing to convert on the first two chances - they didn't register a shot on that five-on-three - it was time for adjustments. Athanasiou and Larkin, who aren't reluctant to shoot, should have been utilized.

Another questionable move was having Riley Sheahan (no goals in 48 games) on the ice for the final 1:01, during the six-on-four, while better options were on the bench (Frans Nielsen, Anthony Mantha, Athanasiou, Larkin). Sheahan took the offensive-zone faceoff, and while he went 11-3 on draws this night, Nielsen has been better this season. They wanted Sheahan's net presence, but Thomas Vanek could have filled that role.

This game wasn't an isolated case. Player management has been an issue this season.

Athanasiou is averaging 12:58 per game, the lowest among forwards playing regularly. He leads the team in goals per 60 minutes (1.45) and is fourth in points per 60 (2.12).

Blashill previously criticized Athanasiou's compete level, and he is prone to defensive lapses. But he generates scoring chances and finishes. He needs to play more for a team that needs to score more.

Sheahan, whose lack of goals is beyond baffling, has been scratched only once. The problem is, the only alternative is Tomas Jurco, who has no points in 13 games. Sheahan is better defensively and can take faceoffs (52.2 percent).

Still, Sheahan has spent too much time among the top-nine forwards and too much time on the power play (average of 1:13, compared to Athanasiou's average 59 seconds).

Questions loom on defense, too, with the impending return of Brendan Smith (knee sprain on Jan. 4) this weekend.

One of nine healthy defensemen must move, either by trade (which seems unlikely) or waivers. It shouldn't be Xavier Ouellet or Nick Jensen, who have been their steadiest defensemen of late and should be fixtures in the lineup.

Alexey Marchenko seems the most likely candidate to be waived. Ryan Sproul, a healthy scratch the past nine games, has more upside with his offensively ability and would be more apt to be claimed due to his size (6-4, 211) and hard shot.

Who sits when Smith returns? Blashill indicated Smith, if cleared, would not play back-to-back this weekend. He'll likely replace Niklas Kronwall in one of the games (Friday at home against the New York Islanders or Saturday at Nashville) to keep the veteran with knee issues from playing back-to-back, like he did the final two games before the All-Star break.

Moving forward, Kronwall and/or Jonathan Ericsson should be scratched occasionally. Ericsson, despite his struggles, has not been sat. Blashill continues to favor the veteran core, but what is there to lose at this point if he shakes things up?

The Red Wings (20-21-9) are in dire straits after 50 games. They're winless in five (0-2-3) and have the lowest winning percentage in the East (.490).

They are seven points behind the Philadelphia Flyers for the final wild-card spot, with a game in hand. They are nine points behind the Boston Bruins for third place and the final automatic playoff berth in the Atlantic Division, with three games in hand.

And with seven other teams in between, the Red Wings' task of extending their 25-season playoff streak is nothing short of monumental.