PHILADELPHIA — Elmer Söderblom's phone rang just as he was about to leave, and the name that popped up demanded answering the call. It was Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman, the man who presided over the draft when Söderblom became a part of the organization.

The Red Wings are 8-4-0 since McLellan took over. The power play, despite going 1 for 9 over the weekend, has been potent, converting at nearly 42 percent during this stretch (18 for 43). The penalty killing continues to struggle (16 for 25, 64 percent).

In his first start since Jan. 7, but his second game in two days, goalie Alex Lyon gave up 3 first-period goals in the Detroit Red Wings' 4-1 loss.

The Detroit Red Wings are on fire as of late, winning eight of their last nine games and making a push towards the NHL Playoffs. Hockey fans all across the mitt

“This feels better and better,” Soderblom said. “The confidence just goes up.” For Soderblom to succeed at the highest level, McLellan said the young forward must learn how to use his 6-foot-8, 246-pound frame to his advantage consistently.

The Red Wings have scored one goal in each of their past three games. They were averaging 4.3 goals per game in their previous nine (8-1-0). They were 17 for 34 on the power play during that run. Tuesday’s game was the first all season they didn’t get a power play.

After a disappointing overtime loss against the Philadelphia Flyers, Detroit Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan sent a straightforward message to captain Dylan Larkin and the rest of the team.

But it's on the defensive end that, possibly, bad habits from early in the season are beginning to resurface. McLellan, who took over Dec. 26 and the Wings immediately went 7-2-0 afterward, wants to stomp out those habits before they hurt the Wings again.

Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan opened up about a shift in team mentality following a crushing loss to the Stars.

Elsewhere, one former Red Wings defender continues their tremendous season. Jake Walman had another impressive performance during a season that has been chock-full of them. In a thrilling 7-5 loss to the Nashville Predators, Walman scored one of the San Jose Sharks' five goals.

With the three losses, the Wings are again beginning to drift further away from an Eastern Conference playoff spot, as they did just before the holiday break, which led to the head-coaching change. The inability to gain much positive traction much of the first half of the season put the Wings in a hole that won't be easy from which to dig out.