Is offense, defense, or goaltending the biggest concern for Detroit? On the strength of a three-goal third period, the Boston Bruins knocked off the Detroit Red Wings 5-3 at Little Caesars Arena Sunday night in the two teams' final game of 2023. Dec 31, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Boston Bruins center Trent Frederic (11) scores a goal against Detroit Red Wings goaltender Alex Lyon (34) during the first period of the game between the Boston Bruins and the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAzMzIxNTExMTYyMzU3MzE1/usatsi_22202712.jpg] Dec 31, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Boston Bruins center Trent Frederic (11) scores a goal against Detroit Red Wings goaltender Alex Lyon (34) during the first period of the game between the Boston Bruins and the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena. Trent Frederic scored the game's opening two goals to give the visitors a 2-0 lead by the five minute mark of the second. However, Jake Walman and Ben Chiarot answered those goals to tie the score at two entering the final period of regulation. 3:52 into the third, Charlie Coyle gave Boston a 3-2, which it would supplement with a late Jake DeBrusk empty-netter. J.T. Compher then scored a power play to give the Red Wings a brief sense of hope, only for a second empty-netter (this time from Pavel Zacha) to cement the result. Here's what Chiarot, Compher, and Derek Lalonde had to say after the game: BEN CHIAROT On defensive coverage: "It was better tonight. Still a couple of missed assignments that cost us, but better for sure. Probably not as frequent in the breakdowns, but still could be a lot better." On defensemen creating offense: "It's great any time you can get offense from the back end. It's gonna help you win a game, but it wasn't enough tonight. As defensemen, we're always looking to jump in and contribute, so we'll look to keep doing that." On whether current problems are self-inflicted: "I don't know about shooting ourselves in the foot, but it's just a little bit of attention to details—knowing that you've got your guy in our zone or five guys in front of ya if you're a defenseman or whatever the case is. Just knowing that you're in a sound defensive position, especially against a team like Boston, they can make you pay so much. Just a little more attention to detail would be helpful as far as being a stronger defensive team." On sense of frustration as standings position worsens: "Tonight's frustrating for sure, especially coming off last game. We were looking to build some momentum here going into a long road trip. I think getting out on the road will be good for us, get the team together and look to build momentum out in California." On figuring out a way to win tight games: "That's kinda part of the maturation of a team, especially a young team. Winning those tight games, finding out how to hold a lead—those are things that we're working on here, and it takes time to know and be comfortable in how to play those games, and that's something we're figuring out still." J.T. COMPHER On state of his own game: "I think that I still can play better. I feel like sometimes when you come back, it takes you a couple of games. I still think there's more to my game though." On centering Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat: "Obviously two all-world players, so good with the puck. I'm just trying to create space for them and get to the net, just support them in the offensive zone, defensive zone." On power play performance: "I thought we had chances. It wasn't perfect tonight, and I mean you're judged on goals, and we weren't able to capitalize early in the game. I thought we did some really good things, had some good chances. Just a little bit of mis-execution that probably cost us a little zone time, but off the top of my head, I can remember a handful of chances that we had. But you gotta capitalize, and we just didn't score tonight early enough." DEREK LALONDE On overall performance: "Opportunity missed. Did some quality things tonight, get back in that game, obviously easily could've won that game. Probably our most complete 60 minutes from start to finish in a while, just came against a team with a very slim margin of error to be successful. Just a little disappointing that I think they only had one chance in the third, and it was a missed face-off assignment and ended up in the back of the net. Hopefully we can build off this a little bit, because our actual full process for 60 minutes was pretty good." On Bruins' formula: "They're a high-compete, well coached team that leans on elite, elite, elite goaltending. That's a very comfortable game for them. Our power play got one tonight and gave us a chance with the goalie pulled at the end, but we probably needed one early on. 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