Here is my weekly review of the Detroit Red Wings for the 14th regular season. This week, the Red Wings played two games and finished 1-0-1. They started the short week winning 3-2 in a close game against the Anaheim Ducks, but they fell short in overtime in the second game against the formidable Edmonton Oilers.
Positive Despite their 1-0-1 record, the Detroit Red Wings had a good week.
These two games saw considerably improved defense and goaltending. They were defeated by Edmonton, but they only allowed that strong offense to score three goals. In both games, the Red Wings narrowed the holes in the defensive and neutral zones by playing as a cohesive unit. Alex Lyon, the Red Wings’ goaltender, performed admirably in net once more, increasing the likelihood that he will start in the second half of the campaign.
In two games, Andrew Copp (goal, assist), Dylan Larkin (goal, assist), and Lucas Raymond (2 assists) all had two points. Despite Detroit’s five goals this week, there are still opportunities and creative offensive options. Detroit’s offense became more lethal versus Edmonton when the defensemen joined the rush in the attacking zone. Even though they only managed one point against the Oilers, it demonstrates that this squad is capable of playing with and hanging with any team in the league for the full 60 minutes.
This week’s penalty kill was flawless—a 6-for-6 effort—and it appeared that their playing strategies had significantly altered. Detroit appeared to be more active in the neutral zone but more patient when going for the kill. The Red Wings held off on delivering the puck 200 feet in the defensive zone, waiting for an error from the opposition. This style gives the impression that minor adjustments were made to the penalty kill in an attempt to revive it. This week’s effort was better overall.
Adverse Effects
The power play, which went 1-for-8 this week, lacked energy and attacking opportunities despite the excellent penalty kill. Despite having players like Patrick Kane, Alex Debrincat, Larkin, Raymond, Moritz Seider, Jake Walman, and Shayne Gostisbehere, this power play is difficult to understand because they are constantly having trouble finding offense. Despite having greater offensive firepower than in prior seasons, this club struggles to gel when playing with a man advantage. Maybe a different look, as in five forwards or four forwards and a defenseman.
It amazes me why young stars Jonatan Berggren and prospect Simon Edvinsson are not regulars in the lineup for the Detroit Red Wings. In spite of playing little time in Detroit, Berggren has produced offensively, and Edvinsson has more than demonstrated that he is ready to be a formidable player on the blue line. Why not start these two in the starting lineup for the time being when several of the team’s veterans aren’t making the cut? Why are these two playing with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League when they will be crucial to the organization’s future success? If I were to choose between Jeff Petry and Christian Fischer, I would rather have Edvinsson and Berggren.
Detroit must find Lyon a viable backup if he is forced to start the remainder of the season. Although Michael Hutchinson has performed admirably, he is not part of the Red Wings’ long-term plans, and James Reimer is not the solution. Ville Husso’s current situation is unknown, and Sebastain Cossa is not yet considered ready for that position by the Red Wings. Will there be a goalie change made prior to the trade deadline?