Red Wings Notebook: Defense Contributing Offense

Goals have proven to be at a premium many nights this season for the Detroit Red Wings. Finding them in any manner is the best approach this team can take.

In Saturday’s 4-2 home-ice win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, three of the four Red Wings goals came from the team’s back end. Jeff Petry would score twice, including the game winner. He’s now netted seven goals in his career against the Maple Leafs.

Moritz Seider also scored for Detroit. In Thursday’s 4-1 loss at Philadelphia, it was defenseman Ben Chiarot collecting the only Red Wings tally.

Getting goals from the defense is all part of the Red Wings strategy for simply putting pucks on net with the purpose of creating mayhem at the net front.

That's 2️⃣ for Petry! pic.twitter.com/6rD0a50coV

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 15, 2024

“We’ve talked about cycling the puck, getting it low to high, getting bodies to the net,” Petry said. “I think just creating that shot scramble mentality, and I think that opens up space for plays to be made, but also rebounds that are sitting there.

“I think when you’re not putting the puck in the net as often as you’d like, you get some of those greasy, gritty goals, and that just kind of lifts you up.”

Petry’s never produced a hat-trick in the NHL and no, that notion wasn’t at the forefront of his thought process.

“I mean, if the opportunity was there to shoot the puck again, I was going to shoot, but it’s not something that crossed my mind at all until Benny said something on the bench,” Petry said.

“It’s just kind of reading the play, making sure that you’re not trying to force something and burying one into a shin pad that gives them an odd-man rush for a breakaway.”

Late Illness Puts Red Wings Kasper Out

The Austrian couldn’t go, so the Michigan four became centers of attention. When illness struck down rookie Marco Kasper right before game time, the Red Wings were creating some last-minute line juggling.

Saturday vs. the Leafs.

*Marco Kasper (Illness) is out tonight. pic.twitter.com/3ggRJkSOeI

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 15, 2024

Christian Fischer drew in. Tyler Motte slid over to center. That meant the Red Wings were icing a lineup with four ex-Michigan Wolverines teammates at center – Dylan Larkin, JT Compher, Andrew Copp and Motte.

“I didn’t even think about that,” Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said. “There’s tough matchups certain nights.

“Tonight was really tough once we lost the center. So good on the guys to get the job done.”

Kane Back On Board

Detroit right-winger Patrick Kane drew an assist on Seider’s goal. That brought an end to his career-worst nine-game pointless streak.

“You can see the offensive confidence come and he was good second period on, which is a good sign for us,” Lalonde said. “And again, even of late, he’s had some posts.”

Berggren’s Bad Penalty

A foolish post-whistle cross-checking by Detroit right-winger Jonatan Berggren led to a Toronto power-play goal. While disappointed with Berggren’s decision, Lalonde chose not to bench the youngster for his transgression.

“We just moved on,” Lalonde said. “Obviously a penalty we don’t want to take. Love to be a little more disciplined in that type of situation, but I actually went right back to him after, so work in progress.”