Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings Win Sixth in a Row: Fresh Start Changed Everything
DETROIT — When a team like the Detroit Red Wings is winning there is more time to marvel at the wonder of a player’s ability or the excitement of a player’s first NHL goal.
There’s more willingness to tinker with the lineup, to be patient with younger players and to explore whether there is a better approach. Before Christmas, it seemed like all the Red Wings could focus on was trying to win a single game.
After Detroit beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-3 Friday for their season-best sixth consecutive win, it’s clear this team has a much healthier attitude about themselves and where they are headed. Patrick Kane had three assists in the game. Rookie Albert Johansson’s first NHL goal was a game winner. Another young player, Marco Kasper, scored an empty net goal. Lucas Raymond scored his 17th. Confidence is now strong with this group.
“I said it on the bench… (Kane) has unreal poise with the puck,” coach Todd McLellan said. “There’s traffic, there’s people going everywhere, and guys are taking runs at him. And he’s just so calm, and he can hold it a little longer. And while he’s doing that, he’s seeing things.”
On the Andrew Copp goal, Kane started the play by hanging onto the puck in the offensive zone.
“He bobbed and weaved through, slowed it down enough so the players could catch up,” McLellan said. “I think he found Gustafsson and then Copp on the rebound. But that was all Patty Kane, just slowing things down and creating opportunities for teammates.”
Everything is slowed down now for the Red Wings. They are seeing their game more clearly, understanding how they need to play.
Power Play Sizzling
They were 1-for-4 on the power play against Chicago, meaning they have scored at least one power play goal in all seven games McLellan has been behind the bench. They are 11-for-23 (47.8%) on the power play in that span.
“I think it’s not always going to be tic tac toe, right,” Raymond said. “If you look at tonight, it comes off almost a puck retrieval and we attack. I think that’s been a big part, retrieving pucks, taking shots, kind of having that shot first mentality. And yeah, it brings a lot of positive to the game. You can get momentum off your power play and your PK. ”
The Red Wings (19-18-4) now are sustaining the momentum they couldn’t find before Christmas. They are only two points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They are only four points out of third in the Atlantic Division. With games against the Seattle Kraken (28th) and San Jose Sharks (31st) on Sunday and Tuesday, they are thinking big.
“We won six games or whatever, but we really haven’t had a true 60-minute effort,” McLellan said. ” We’re still in waves up and down, but the ability to go grab the momentum. Now, they understand they can do that by doing certain things. So that’s a good sign. “
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I don’t think this Red Wings team is good enough to have a solid 60 minute effort.
Red Wings just have to limit the damage when they’re not playing well in a game.
Under Losey, it seemed like every mistake the Red Wings made ended up in the back of the net.
Now under McLellan, the team isn’t making as many costly mistakes.
Mistakes are going to happen.
Even the 96/97 Red Wings made mistakes.
I understand what McLellan is saying but it’s false hope in my opinion.
Sure the Red Wings have room to improve.
But let’s be realistic about it.
Sort of agree. It looks like they’re actually having fun now. All those sour faces under the Lalonde have disappeared. Be nice if they could even go 500 the rest of the way. And you are correct, we have to be realistic about it
Hello, Friends.
I’m winning the Green Jacket!
I’m a Masters champion! 😁
Mike agree totally agree. I have not looked to see if u replied to my last comment about Lalonde, just wanted to apologize if I offended u. There,are worse things u could call him. Let’s leave it there. Tom. PS-What impresses me,about McClellan is finding ways to get players people thought were terrible like Holl to be useful players. Everybody is contributing
No worries, Tom.
And yes it’s refreshing to have a quality NHL coach like McLellan behind the Red Wings bench again. 😁
Yes, really love seeing the improvement and stronger better play of Holl and Chiarot. Good for them.
Another green jacket for me! 😁
Kane’s been really slick lately he seems reborn. Maybe the Lalonde had them too worried about the defensive zone and therefore stifled the offense. What do you folks think? It sure seems that way , it looks like they’re actually having fun now.
Yes, for sure. Coach TM a better structure and style.
What a difference a competent coach makes. Now, if only they had a competent GM
It’s as if a weight has been lifted from the team.
They’re not going to win them all of course.
But they don’t have to.
They just need to be consistent and avoid prolonged slumps.
Still half a season left! 😁
Lalonde over coached. Simple as that. The players know when you don’t know what you’re doing.
Yes, I was thinking that as well. He and Blash seemed to over coach.