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Game summary - the positive motion Detroit and its fans were seeing and feeling felt like they were both wiped out by 10 Chicago goals in 2 games. With Dallas right around the corner, it will be uphill sledding. After games like this, I have to take a deep breath and figure out what my role as a blogger really is. No one who reads this blog needs for me to spell out what is going wrong for this team. There are issues in all three zones. Up until this series, the goalies have been keeping things artificially close. It was a much needed boost and gave the team time to figure things out. What I noticed this weekend, more than anything, is that the 2nd line had been the dominant force for Detroit, and is sorely missed.
For whatever reason, Zadina and Ryan with Fabbri/Rasmussen found ways to create energy on the ice and the whole team was benefiting. Larkin/Mantha and Bertuzzi are finding ways to contribute, even while being the sole focus of the opposition. Bertuzzi’s two power play tallies shouldn’t be ignored in their significance. Hard fought, gritty, and Larkin was stirring the drink in a big way. Mantha is working on 200 feet of ice. All three are. That in itself is a huge step in the right direction. Hronek still has impressive looks and is the clear blue line leader for the team. Larkin is trying to work the entire bench. He wants every player to be engaged and feel part of what’s happening out there. That is a lot to carry, and his passion and energy are admirable.
I’m going to digress to some UFA based advice I’d recently heard. “You’re either winning or learning”. These lessons are painful right now. But, they are lessons. The in room leadership will know when to be angry and try to rally. They’ll also understand when to try and pick guys up. Development comes as much peer to peer as it does coach to player. Possibly more so.
Chicago showed their continued power play dominance, and unlike the first four contests had some very good goaltending. You could see confidence increase with every goal and every save. The swagger was there, and it was palpable. There isn’t much that the team didn’t succeed at this weekend, and right now it’s all smiles for the Blackhawks.
Detroit has a tall task ahead of them. Step away from this weekend and make sure no one is in a tailspin. Find the good moments to build on as much as the plays that need to be avoided. It takes a lot of character to dig in and learn from a series like this. As the players, and as fans, this is still very much the beginning of the rebuild. Positive signs are certainly evident. Several more contracts are coming off of the books after this season, and developing players will have a chance to try and take a job. I truly appreciate Yzerman’s commitment to keeping many of the prospects in overseas leagues for the season. The growth and repetitions are so important in an arena where you’re not under the microscope. Allowing for success at those levels can help players develop into professionals. Rushing them into what the team is facing right now won’t help with that.
The positives from this weekend - the power play finally connected. Bertuzzi, Larkin and Mantha continue to try and create. Bobby Ryan was doing everything he could to help shift momentum. Hronek continues to put in a lot of ice time and effort. Detroit had two games with 30+ shots on net. These are things that can be built on. The improvements may not show up in the win column, but will contribute to the character and the future of this Red Wings club.
2nd period - Wings on power play, will get a 5 on 3 opportunity for 1 minute
Bertuzzi cashes in after some nice plays by Mantha, Hronek and Larkin. Wings already look more engaged after that goal. Chicago somehow missed an empty net on a 3 on 1 after the PK. Detroit starting to show more poise on the attack, but will need to cash in. Every Chicago shot looks dangerous. Murphy cashes in on a missed clear. To Mantha’s credit he was working hard to back check. Bernier has been keeping the team in it. Better period for sure.
First period summary - Detroit is anemic on depth. Until Zadina and Fabbri come back, this is a one line team again. Same issue as last year. Chicago is full of confidence (as they should be). Larkin line trying to get going, but goaltending still very good for Chicago. No line other than Larkin even getting the puck on net. Fil and Nielsen continue to look like they’ve lost all their step and offensive ability. Givani Smith with a really bad D zone turnover. Hirose and Smith just look lost. Continued poor decision making on passes make Chicago’s job much easier. The team has no flow and no confidence. Spending a third of the period defending the Blackhawks power play only exacerbates the painful reality of how many struggles Detroit is having.
My predictions for the first meeting of Detroit and Chicago this year were way off. The 4-1 score isn’t quite indicative of the effort Detroit put in, with more than 30 shots on goal Chicago had some excellent net minding as well as an incredibly potent power play. It is an absolute pleasure to watch Patrick Kane when he takes over. Yes, it’s not fun to be on the losing end. However, he’s a special player than can create in a vacuum. His dynamic speed and vision make the game better and more exciting.
So, where do the Wings sit now? To be honest, I had to take a hard look at what losses have mounted internally. Fabbri was running a very good line before he was sidelined. Rasmussen stepped up, but Zadina and Ryan were stirring the drink. That line was the most exciting line to watch for most of the game. Now Zadina is on the shelf. To clarify, COVID protocol includes more than a positive test. If you’ve been in close proximity to someone who may have been exposed, you get shelved and tested.
We then lost Merrill as well. Detroit finally had two lines buzzing on offense and a defense that was coming together, and it took a massive hit. When Fabbri, Merrill and Zadina return, they will make the roster better. The drop off is still fairly steep after the first two lines. Brome and Namestnikov could use a goal to get the confidence going. Larkin made a highlight reel goal and tried to carry the load. He did get the troops stirred up, but a quick empty net tally killed the momentum.
I have no idea how Sunday’s tilt is going to pan out. If Chicago gets the same goaltending and Detroit keeps getting penalties, it could be more of the same. My hope is that a fast start could level things out a bit more. 5 on 5 play could keep it much closer. It’s the rebuild, so I’m looking for lessons learned and steps forward. It won’t always equal a win, but it will will definitely be an important part of the future of this club. A good game would be a trip to overtime. Win or lose, it will show some tight competition. We’ll see how it goes.
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