Helene St. James

Detroit Free Press

The Detroit Red Wings head into the first back-to-back home games of their season on a winning streak, but not one that comes with much pride.

The Nashville Predators loom Friday and the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, and getting points against either heavy hitter will be dicey if the Wings turn in another performance like has been habit already this young season.

Failure to clog the neutral zone or disrupt the easy breakouts that allowed the Rangers freedom of movement most of the night demanded Jimmy Howard turn in a career-highlighting performance Wednesday at Madison Square Garden, after which coach Jeff Blashill lamented the skaters’ performance (Thursday was a day off).

“You can’t have long-term success giving up the number of chances we’ve given up in three of the four games, no chance,” Blashill said. “So we’ve got to be much better than that.

“The more correctable thing is turnovers. We’ve got to learn to be a team that plays north for 60 minutes, that gets pucks in behind, that attacks and doesn’t turn the puck over in the d-zone, doesn’t turn the puck over in the neutral zone. We’ve probably turned the puck over in the neutral zone more this year than last.”

The Lightning, Panthers and Rangers all used speed to get in behind Detroit’s defense with alarming ease. To counter that, Henrik Zetterberg said the Wings need to “make sure we are on the right side of people. We’ve got to execute on passes. First period we’ve got to win our battles. That’s three points right there.”

The Wings’ defense isn’t good enough to withstand lack of structure. A significant upgrade on the back end sorely is needed, and management remains actively trying to address the issue.

An early afternoon flight Tuesday into New York afforded Wings brass the opportunity to scout defenseman Cam Fowler as Anaheim played that night at New Jersey. At last asking price, however, the Ducks’ demands included Anthony Mantha.

Evgeny Svechnikov has become another target after an especially strong exhibition season, and he’s another prospect the Wings would be loath to relinquish.

Contact Helene St. James: hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames.