Perhaps it's unrealistic to expect the Detroit Red Wings to sustain success for any length of time.
It's not unreasonable to expect them to show steady signs of improvement.
They regressed badly in a 4-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday at Little Caesars Arena. Effort and execution wasn't apparent until late, when they scored both of their goals.
This wasn't the same team that displayed some fire by breaking a 12-game winless streak against Winnipeg on Thursday and pulling out a victory in Montreal for the second time this season Saturday.