Power-play inefficiency and a lack of execution around the front of the net led to a multi-goal loss to halt a run of good results.

DETROIT – Todd McLellan saw that tell-tale sign that a player missed a defensive assignment too often Wednesday in the Detroit Red Wings’ 4-1 loss to the Utah Mammoth at Little Caesars Arena.

Just as the Red Wings appeared to be finding their rhythm, they hit a roadblock Wednesday with a 4-1 loss to the Utah Mammoth.

▶ The Wings' lone victory on a back-to-back occurred at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 16, when they shut down the N.Y. Rangers 2-1 – 24 hours after a discouraging 5-4 overtime loss at Little Caesars Arena against Buffalo.

Clayton Keller had a goal and an assist as the Utah Mammoth pulled away from the Atlantic Division-leading Detroit Red Wings 4-1.

With Tuesday’s victory over the Islanders, in which Alex DeBrincat scored two power-play goals in the third period and goalie John Gibson finished with 16 saves, the Red Wings moved back into first place in the Atlantic Division ahead of their first of two regular-season meetings with the Mammoth.