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Wings vs Blue Jackets pregame. The Blue Jackets had their more “NHL ready” roster. Detroit was a hybrid, for sure, but brought Larkin, Zadina, Raymond, Berggren and Seider. The Jackets were looking for a “bounce back” after their AHL heavy team had a rough go at LCA a few games back.
Summary - well, one team was ready to play this one. Unfortunately Detroit wasn’t the team. In fact, they didn’t look like much of a team at all for most of the game. The lesson wasn’t learned against Chicago, and tonight was almost a carbon copy. This team just cannot start on time for far too many games.
Give Columbus credit. They treated the game with some respect. It took almost half of the game for Detroit to start to look like they were in it. Apart from the Larkin line, this was a team of Grand Rapids bound or 4th line players. Two quick goals in the third made it look like things were heading in the right direction. Givani Smith put CBJ on the power play with another careless cross checking penalty. The team is getting hit with those every game and should know better. Smith tried to stir things up all game long and it ended up costing him and the team.
Smith had a nice shift on the second goal, but the gritty forward spent too much time trying to lure CBJ into a fight that wasn’t going to happen. Zadina’s assist on the Barber goal was a beautiful look. Raymond had a couple of nice looks, but Elvis was up to the task. Unfortunately, Blashill could lean on this game in forcing Raymond down the Grand Rapids. Hopefully not, but tomorrow night isn’t going to be easier as Pittsburgh comes to town.
Throughout last season, Detroit had several starts like this. Just not engaged and not in the game. I don’t know who that falls on. Hopefully, when the roster is set, things will be better from the get go. Leddy has been a nice addition, and the defense tonight could have used the boost.
In the end, it’s a preseason game. It doesn’t really mean much, but makes it clear that Detroit doesn’t have a ton of organizational depth yet. I expect that a chunk of players will be reassigned to Grand Rapids tomorrow and Friday. Ned had another rough night, and I’m sure he’s hoping that the regular season defense will be better than what he’s seen so far.
I posted the first goal, but can’t get a clip of the Renouf tally at this point. I’ll post it if/when I can get ahold of it. This game is a throw away. Tomorrow night, if the team starts like this again, will be another rough run. It makes my stomach sink to know that Tampa Bay is the season opener for this squad. The last 3 games have started to show what has plagued the team during the rebuild. Pittsburgh, Chicago and now Columbus have had their way with the team. We’ll see if they can answer the bell any better after this one.
First Period:
6:19 in, not much happening. Wings keep passing up shots on net to try and make a drop pass. Neither team looking at really good sustained pressure. Wings need to start shooting and stop looking around.
Blue Jackets had 1:43 of solid pressure of the resulting faceoff. Wings unable to get ahold of the puck and get it out. Ned froze the puck. Wings able to get it out after the next shift. CBJ looks to be more engaged after that break, Detroit on their heels a little.
At 10 minutes in CBJ seems to be taking over. Detroit completely hemmed in. A nice poke check broke up a Laine rush (fresh from the bench). Wings just not into this game still. Laine nearly scores on the next shift at 11:21. Delayed penalty at 13:00 as Wings will go for hooking. Detroit just looks sluggish and disengaged.
Bjorkstrand cashes in at 14:14. Hopefully this will wake Detroit up. CBJ fully into this one and Detroit still only has 2 shots on goal. Wings have a decent shift around 15:30, but miss the net with every shot attempt. With 3:50 left in the period, Detroit still only has 2 shots on net. This is not an easy watch. Jackets nearly score again at 16:38 and Detroit heads back to the box.
Werenski cashes in on the power play. Detroit just looks embarrassing out there. Seider inadvertently redirected the puck. The team wasn’t ready to play, again. Blashill just seems unable to have them ready to go at puck drop. For the past few years it’s been the same. Now teh group has to hope they can get the kind of scoring they saw against Chicago to get back into this.
2nd Period:
Stephens and Raymond both had some nice looks in tight, but Elvis was up to the task. 9 minutes into the second, and Detroit is finally starting to get some looks. A power play could definitely help get things on the right track. Just hard to understand why it takes this team so long to engage some nights. Is that on the players, on the coaches, both? It’s going to have to change at some point in the next couple of seasons.
Best cycle of the period came at 14:00. Detroit had some nice cycle work, a couple of good looks. Merzlikins more than up to the task tonight. Its’ going to take a tip or 3rd chance rebound. Shots 24-13 in CBJ favor. Detroit starting to pick it up. Unfortunately Wings got hemmed in after an icing. Ned kept the game within 2 with 3:50 left in the period. Getting one before period end would go a long way.
Detroit finally catches a break with 46 seconds left. CBJ gets a bench minor for too many men. Larkin gets waived out again , CBJ wins the draw and kills 20 seconds. Detroit can’t get possession as the clock ticks down. Faceoff win was crucial for Detroit to get a decent look that time. Never got it together. 1:14 remaining heading to the third.
Third:
Ryan robbed on a point blank chance early. Elvis is in the zone. Lost faceoffs killed nearly half the man advantage. Reilly Barber makes up for it with a breakaway goal top glove side. Zadina made a nice pass to spring the right shot depth forward.
Barber goal:
CBJ nearly got it right back with a fish featuring Roslovic and Boqvist. CBJ with continued pressure continues to press hard. Detroit will need to start winning more of these battles. Seider made a solid decision at 3:30 to skate the puck out. Very aware of what was going on. He’s quietly made some nice plays tonight to move the puck.
With a solid shift at around 6:00, Dan Renouf skated in and went 5 hole to tie up the game. Givani Smith had some nice work to help keep the play alive.
Renouf goal:
With 5:34 left, Detroit goes short handed on another cross checking minor. This time from Givani Smith. The league is (thankfully) cracking down on this one. Players need to be aware, and there’s been more than enough time to get up to speed on this one. Stupid and unnecessary trip to the box near the end of a one goal game.
Laine walks through all 4 Red Wings to score a beauty. An absolute momentum killer, and Smith does the skate of shame. Stupid play costs Wings.
Wings take another stupid penalty and all but kill their ability to get back in this one with 2:36 left.
Check out my previous blogs:
Wings vs Blue Jackets pregame
Hurrican Raymond
Detroit lost an exciting preseason game to Chicago.
Detroit vs Chicago pregame
Detroit lost to Pittsburgh 5-1
Wings vs Jackets post game
Wings and Blue Jacktes pregame
Wings beat Buffalo 6-2
Vrana to miss most of the season.
Wings vs Chicago pregame
”Twas the night before Red Wings
Red and White game
Training Camp Day 3
Interviews from Seider, Nedeljkovic and Erne
Training Camp day 2
Edvinsson gets assist in Frolunda loss
Day 1 of training camp 
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