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Previous post: Soderblom’s value is climbing

Taking a look at Detroit after 13 games, there are some pleasant surprises. Bertuzzi has 9 goals in 10 games. The top line has combined for 18 goals with rookie Raymond getting 5 of them. Both Seider and Raymond continue to create a lot of buzz and make an impact.

Tonight the rookies will get a look at an Edmonton team that has shot out of the gate with a 9-1-0 record. Both McDavid and Draisaitl are averaging above 2 points a game right now. Third highest sits Zach Hyman who has 7 goals and 3 assists in 10 games. The Oilers boost the best powerplay in the league with a whopping 50% efficiency (compared to Detroit at 18.2, 23rd). Their penalty kill is 86.2% successful (6th) with Detroit at 71.1 (27th). Edmonton’s “Bowman number) is 136.2. That is a nightmare.

The Edmonton squad is also first in goals for (4.4) compared to Detroit at 3 (14th). The goals against for the Oil is 2.8 (13th) compared to Detroit’s 3.38 (27th). They’re scoring almost a goal and a half more and letting in 1 less. The team is just tearing through their schedule in the early goings.

So, what can you do as Detroit? Stay out of the box. That needs to be the mantra in every game at this point. McDavid has no problem taking on 5 players at once and getting to the net. You have to keep the puck away from him (good luck). The more you an play in Edmonton’s zone, the better. But, you’re always a bounce or pass away from McDavid grabbing the puck and flying 180 feet the other way.

This is a game where you can end up on a highlight reel for all the wrong reasons. Michael Jordan used to taunt defenders in the NBA. Before he’d hit his breakaway he would remark, “you’re going to be on a poster”. Then he’d go over top and sure enough, you’d see the arm and head of one of his victims on a poster. I doubt McDavid uses the same line, but he could.

Tonight, what I’d like to see is shots on net (as opposed to those misses that end up flying out of the zone after bouncing off the boards). Make the Oilers netminder hold onto the puck as much as you can. Keep the defense back and look out for Edmonton’s transition. If you’re a defender and you’re deeper in your own zone than McDavid or Draisaitl, you’re not going to catch them if they get the puck and head the other way.

There’s no “trick” to this one. You’re going to have to weather a storm. Bad line changes, poor passing and missed defensive assignments are going to burn you. It will be interesting to see how Detroit comes out in this one.




Some of my previous posts:

Previous post: Soderblom’s value is climbing

Previous Post: Confidence carries over, Captain comes back as Wings beat VGK

Bertuzzi, Suter and Raymond come up big, Seider gets OT winner

Previous post: Larkin out again, Buffalo Pregame

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