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Improved Defense Won’t Help Red Wings if Scoring Drops

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Olli Maatta, Red Wings

DETROIT — It’s challenging to know how well the Red Wings are playing defensively this preseason because lineups are always a blend of veterans, PTO hopefuls and players not quite ready for the show.



But Detroit coach Derek Lalonde played a lineup Thursday night that was close to what you will see on opening night against the Pittsburgh Penguins.  He came way relatively pleased with the structure of the defensive play. The Red Wings are emphasizing giving up two or fewer goals per game in 2024-25.

“I don’t think we gave up a whole lot tonight,” Lalonde said. “That’s a positive. Just probably need a little bit more intensity to create some offense.”

He obviously disliked his team not being able to score in a 2-0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. But from the opening minutes of training camp, the Detroit emphasis has been about improved defensive play.

“That’s an important part of what we’re trying to accomplish, all of our bigger structure, and that was fine,” Lalonde said. “We’ll look back at that game and grade that out. There were some mishaps and even watching between periods, a couple of those really good looks they had started with puck play more than structure.”

The Red Wings gave five shots in the first, 12 in the second and eight in the third.

The Detroit defense consisted of Moritz Seider (22:21), Simon Edvinsson (15:58), Ben Chiarot (16:38), Jeff Petry (21:14), Olli Maatta (18:18) and Justin Holl (16:23).

The only difference on opening night will be Erik Gustafsson, a power play performer, playing for Holl.

Where Does Holl Fit?

The only question about the defense is whether Lalonde will carry seven or eight defensemen. Rookie Albert Johansson is expected to make the team. Holl will be part of the mix if they keep eight. Will they consider sending Justin Holl to the minors to allow them to keep a young for ward such as Marco Kasper?

If they sent Holl to the minors, he would likely clear waivers because of his salary. He would be there to be recalled if Detroit had injuries.

Does Yzerman have a trade up his sleeve to move a defenseman? There’s no indication of that, but there never is when Yzerman deals.

Even though the Red Wings have used a variety of lineups this preseason, Michael Rasmussen said the team seems to be all on the same page in terms of being committed to better defensive play. They were ranked 24th in the NHL and no team ranked below them made the playoffs either.

“We’re all in the same meetings and all in the same practices, so everybody knows the systems and what their responsibility is,” Rasmussen said. “D zone, neutral zone, offensive zone, all that. So I think we’ve got a good grasp of what we need to do to be successful. And it’s just about executing it’s a goal.”

 Talbot Sharp

Part of the improved defense could come in the form of upgraded goaltending. The Red Wings are in the midst of an open goaltending competition and Cam Talbot, Alex Lyon and Ville Husso all have goals-against averages of 2.02 or better.

“Talbot was good (vs. Toronto),” Lalonde said. “Couldn’t fault him on either goal. Calm in there, quiet. I think a really good performance in a good camp. Our goaltending has had some consistency and looked very solid throughout camp.”

It will certainly helps if the Red Wings can reduce their GAA to below 3.00, but it won’t be enough if their goal scoring falls off too much. With opening night less than a week away, there’s still concern about whether this team can make up for the 75 goals lost through trades and free agent departures this summer.