Red Wings Notebook: Husso looking more like himself in win over Leafs

Since returning from the holiday break, neither the Detroit Red Wings or goaltender Ville Husso were looking a solid as they did prior to celebrating Christmas.

Today, though, it would appear that situation is changing. Husso blocked 32 of 33 shots on Thursday as the Red Wings beat the Toronto Maple Leafs for the first time since February 1, 2019, posting a 4-1 victory.

“There was a stretch early on that Ville was playing at such a high level,” Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said. “I think he’d be the first one to tell you his game’s tailed off.”

HUS & FABS! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/NyRxHqOwIP

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 13, 2023

Prior to back-to-back victories over the Winnipeg Jets and Toronto, Husso hadn’t posted victories in consecutive starts since December 4-6. He was 1-4-2 in his next seven starts until collecting these latest two wins.

“A little bit of that had to do with timing,” Lalonde said. “We probably overused him for a stretch. He comes back off the Christmas break sick.”

Lalonde is right, by the way. Husso was willing to call out his own number for criticism over his recent performances.

“Yeah, it’s been tough,” Husso said. “I was sick a little bit, lost the energy and all that. But I just try to work hard and do some extra on the ice and try to battle every day and I feel like I’m trying to find a way to be on the level where I want to be.”

Milestone For Red Wings Raymond

Lucas Raymond opened the scoring for Detroit in the win over Toronto. It was his second goal in as many games and four tallies through the past six games. It was also a milestone marker for the second-year Swede.

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Raymond scored his 35th career goal to tie the iconic Gordie Howe for the third-most by a Red Wings skater before age 21. Current Red WIngs GM Steve Yzerman (83) and current Detroit captain Dylan Larkin (40) rank first and second, respectively. His two assists on the night also gave Raymond 50 for his NHL career.

Raymond has collected 13 points (5-8-13) in his last 11 contests dating back to December 17 vs. Ottawa.

Ice Chips

With two assists, Larkin now has 23 to lead the club . . . Detroit defenseman Jake Walman was playing his 100th NHL game on Thursday, but he was unimpressed. “Guys my age, some of them have like 400,” said Walman, 26 . . . Detroit is 11-0-2 this season when leading after two periods, and a perfect 7-0-0 when doing so on home ice.