Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings Notebook: Kids putting on their rally caps

Soderblom, Veleno riding six-game point streaks

Published

1 year ago

December 31, 2022

Bob Duff

Joe Veleno has a point in each of Detroit's last six games.

When it came time for the Detroit Red Wings to stage their latest comeback, the kids weren’t just alright. They were leading the charge.

Down 2-0 to the Ottawa Senators, Lucas Raymond, 20, set up the first goal, then tallied the tying goal. It was rookie Elmer Soderblom, 21, who would net the eventual game-winner. He did so after taking a sweet feed from Joe Veleno, 22.

Michael Rasmussen, at 23 the elder statesman among the third-period goal scorers in Detroit’s 4-2 victory, couldn’t help but be impressed by the performance of the club’s kiddie corps.

“I think those guys have been playing real hard for us and have really made some big plays in the last little bit here,” Rasmussen said.

Soderblom’s goal was his fifth of the season. Only six players on the Detroit roster have tallied more often than him. Both Soderblom (3-3-6) and Veleno (2-4-6) are riding six-game point streaks. Jonatan Berggren, 22, is showing four points (1-3-4) through the past five games.

Big Elmer. Big Goal. pic.twitter.com/CQ44T6SzrY

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 1, 2023

“Those guys made big plays,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “Even on Razor’s goal, Berggren made a really sneaky play on the half-wall to get the puck to the point, and obviously Elmer’s finishing. When those guys are going it felt like we had four lines going. It felt deep tonight.”

While the numbers on the scoresheet are flashy, it’s the work they’re doing when not in possession of the puck that’s going to be key in keeping these youngsters in the NHL on a long-term basis.

“Everyone wants to contribute (offensively) but it’s good to see those guys contributing, even away from the puck,” Rasmussen said. “In the D zone they’re blocking shots.

“Joe had a big block in the third. Berggy’s winning battles all over the place. And Sodes gets a big goal. It was great to see.”

Raymond Entertaining Family

Raymond’s sixth multi-point game of the season came in front of family. His parents are visiting from Sweden.

“Yeah. they came in yesterday,” Raymond said, admitting it’s a bonus to play well in front of the folks.

RAY RAY! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/fugSIUr1xD

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 1, 2023

“It’s always fun. They don’t get to watch a lot of games back home with the time difference. I think my mom’s too scared to watch, too. It felt good for sure.”

Raymond has six points (2-4-6) in his last six games dating back to Dec. 17 vs. Ottawa.

Red Wings Ice Chips

Detroit is 10-0-2 this season when scoring 4+ goals in a game . . . the Red Wings have rallied to win from multi-goal deficits on three occasions. Only the Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks, with four apiece, have done so more often.

Detroit improved to 38-24-8-2 on New Year’s Eve and 34-23-7-2 on home ice. Additionally, the Red Wings own a 3-1-1 record at Little Caesars Arena on New Year’s Eve . . . Rasmussen has collected 3-4-7 totals over the past five games . . . The Red Wings scored three goals in the opening 3:13 of the third period. The last time Detroit scored three faster goals to start a period was Feb. 9, 1993 (2:14 in the opening period vs. New Jersey).