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Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings Exhibiting Team Toughness

Kasper 4-0 as Detroit player

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3 months ago

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Christian Fischer, Red Wings
Red Wings forward Christian Fischer was an assist away from the Gordie Howe hat-trick.

The Detroit Red Wings found themselves toughing out a win over the New Jersey Devils in more ways than one.

Whether it was Michael Rasmussen flattening Jack Hughes on the clinching goal, to Christian Fischer stepping up in weight to trade haymakers with Brenden Dillon, or Ben Chiarot finally deciding he had enough of Jonathan Kovacevic, Detroit was letting New Jersey know during a 5-3 victory on Thursday that they aren’t about to suffer fools.

A hectic third period saw Fischer go with Devils defenseman Dillon and Chiarot scrapping with a chirphy Kovacevic. Finally, an exclamation point was put at the the end of the evening as Rasmussen was delivering a reverse check on New Jersey star Hughes while tucking home an empty-net goal.

“We got some momentum on that, especially when Fish is in a situation out of his weight class,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “I think it elevates the whole group.

“So, yeah, we get some push from that for sure. It gave us a ton, both those scraps.”

Marco On The Mark Again

Another day, another NHL win for Red Wings rookie center Marco Kasper. This one, though, may take on some special emphasis.

Minus the injured JT Compher, Detroit was suiting up just 11 forwards. That saw Kasper skating 18:42, including shifts on the power play (1:25) and penalty kill (1:30).

Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin continues to be impressed by what Kasper is bringing to the ice. The Red Wings are 4-0 with Kasper in the lineup.

“Kind of exactly what I expected after watching him throughout training camp,” Larkin said. “He’s brought a spark and I think it’s been great having him and (Thursday) was was a bigger role.

“I thought he did really well. His feet are NHL . . . he has NHL speed and hockey sense, and he competes.”

Ice Chips

The Red Wings have gone 171:12 without allowing a five-on-five goal . . . They have been outshot 97-40 over the past eight periods . . .  These last two games are the first time since the 1959-60 season that Detroit won consecutive games with 20 or fewer shots . . . The Wings have allowed nine power-play goals on 24 chances. That’s a dismal 62.5 percent penalty kill rate . . . Along with his fight, Fischer also had a goal, leaving him an assist shy of the Gordie Howe hat-trick.

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