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Summary: I don’t think Raymond (or anyone else on the team) reads my blog. If they did, they would have seen the calls to send Raymond packing before he hit ten games and bring in Veleno. If that was that motivation for the 19 year old to come out and grab a hat trick, that would be a great story. It wasn’t, but it’s still at least a very good story.
After wins and losses, I ask myself, “what positives are there that can be replicated”? If I weren’t already at least somewhat spiritual, this game would have driven me to believe in some sort of other-worldly force. I saw pinball goals, high scoring wingers miss on wide open nets, and Blashill won a goal challenge. If tomorrow were Sunday, the pulpits may be a bit fuller in Detroit after this one.
What I’m trying to say is, there are positives that can be replicated. There was also some insane luck that can’t possibly be. Raymond’s first goal was weird. It was the beginning of a rough night for Fleury. MAF does not look comfortable. Chicago is fighting to find themselves in a bizarre 6 game losing stretch. A lot of strange things went wrong for them in this one.
The big positive, the Larkin line can jump, jive and/or wail. Bertuzzi does what he does and gets to the dirty area. Larkin skates well, and Raymond seems to be an excellent passer and his shot may be coming on as well.
Nedeljkovic had the game he needed to have. He made some crazy saves. He also benefitted from some crazy bounces. It was a nice mix as Detroit didn’t see the Chicago side of the ice for most of the third period. The ‘Hawks did everything but score as Detroit sent player after player to the penalty box. I’m not sure about the Namestnikov call, I couldn’t see the right angle. Either way, I’m sure the team is having a better plane ride tonight than last night.
Kudos and congrats to Lucas Raymond. He’s got another decoration for the mantle, and that line is the most exciting part of the team right now. When Vrana comes back, Detroit could well have 2 very exciting lines. Hopefully the team can get a nice boost from this, but the defense still needs some help. Scratching Hronek made no sense, unless there’s a trade in the works. ( I haven’t heard anything to indicate that there is). Montreal needs defensemen, maybe that’s why he was scratched last night and tonight while the deal is discussed. Probably not.
First Period:
Why the Hronek scratch? Did anything about last night’s defense jump off the page and say, “let’s do that again?” The conspirator within me wonders if a team is making a push to get the right shot defenseman. Is Yzerman talking to someone? Montreal? No clue.
Not far into the game, a near icing play turns into a goal for Lucas Raymond with an assist by Bertuzzi. Such a strange play, low shot goes 5 hole on Fleury. Wings outshooting ‘Hawks 5-1
Raymond’s goal:
Tyler Johnson fought through Dekeyser at 12:35 and continues his winning ways against Detroit. Everyone gave me grief for wanting that player, he’s guts all the way.
Detroit gets a powerplay after Rasmussen gets clipped by a high stick. It’s a double minor
Larkin loses his temper and ends up in the box. Murphy took a couple of shots, Larkin grabbed his stick. Not sure what else he should do in that situation.
Ned makes a big stop as Chicago gets a 3 on 2
Fabbri to the box for slashing. It’s coming off the rails now.
Larkin with a timely puck steal as he rushes out of the box.
Power plays/ 4 on 4s all killed off
Second Period:
An early power play failed but Carter Rowney scored soon after. Fleury made a big save on Rasmussen, Rowney managed to tuck in a rebound.
Rowney goal:
With 12:27, a broken play in the Chicago zone saw Namestnikov tap in a puck that was loose in the crease for a 3-1 lead
Namestnikov goal:
“Let’s go Red Wings” chants can be sparsely heard. I don’t remember hearing those at United in a long time.
And then Larkin skates down, does a wrap around, puck ends up in the net. Bertuzzi kicked the puck forward, but it looks like it went off of a Chicago defenseman. Not sure what’s going on. Went off of #52 Johnson after a bounce away from the net. This is a pinball shot. I don’t envy Fleury right now. That was bizarre.
Bertuzzi’s Jesus goal (holy spirit assist):
Wings to the box, Blackhawks back on the power play. Wings able to clear after some good passing by ‘Hawks. 90 seconds left on the kill. Kubalik scores after some nice passing with Jones.
With just under a minute left, Raymond scores his second of the game (and gets buried under a sea of red for his trouble) with the Larkin line on a quick zone entry play that saw a rebound from Bert come right to the 19 year old winger.
Raymond’s 2nd of the night:
Big scrum after the period ends. Johnson and Toews in the middle of it. There was a big hit after the buzzer, luckily everyone is skating off.
Third Period:
*Lucas Raymond is the first 19 year old with a 3 point game since Yzerman on April 7, 1985.
Hawks cut the deficit to 2 just 2 minutes in as Lindstrom fails to cover his man in front of the net.
Detroit to the power play after a cross check from McCabe.
Wings fail to gain any sustained pressure for the first minute. Chicago continues strong play and clears with 40 seconds left. Detroit gains entry but fails to convert.
With 14:08 left, Detroit outshooting Chicago 30 to 18 but 5-3 score is enough to realize this game is far from over. This could be the race to 6. Larkin line comes in strong on the attack and draws another penalty.
Raymond collects his first hat trick after some nice passing. It was a nice snap shot with a flare of Brett Hull taking a knee. Congrats young man. And there’s the smile on the bench.
Raymond’s Hat Trick goal:
Wings up 6-3 with 12:45 left. Still lots of time and an angry Chicago club. This isn’t the start Chicago hoped for, to be sure. Stan made some bold moves in the offseason. Fleury doesn’t look like himself. Something’s not clicking for him right now.
Raymond feeling confident, goes for his forth on a quick zone entry with 10:23 left. Fleury throws a windmill for good measure.
Chicago to the powerplay with 9:45 left. Kubalik with a diving drive to the net makes it a 5 on 3 for 1:34. Chicago scores in 19 seconds after a net mouth scramble. 6-4. Play may be under review it’s possible the goalie was pushed into the net with the puck. Not sure if this challenge will hold up. Could be an extended 5 on 3. I’ll be darned, it’s waived off. Still time on the 5 on 3, but Ned held his ground on that one.
Somehow, Debrincat missed a wide open net. That’s about the darndest thing I’ve ever seen. Ned barely got a stick on the puck. Wow. Detroit’s failure at the dot causing issues. A desperation clear helps to kill the 2 man advantage. Ned robs Strome with 23 seconds left on the regular advantage and Detroit can get fresh bodies out there. Luck, luck, and more luck along with a couple good saves.
Detroit going to the box as Namestnikov accused of putting his hand on the puck in the crease. This is a nightmare. 7 seconds of 5 on 3. 5 on 3 ends, Ned with a save as Detroit gets 1 back on the PK. 1:47 left on the kill. Detroit finally clears for the first time in a while. Chicago back in, 1:15 left to kill. Ned stops but can’t hold. Multiple Wings on the limp after blocking shots. 22 seconds left to kill land Ned holds. Everyone starts scrapping.
Detroit loses another faceoff, Ned freezes with 2 seconds left to kill. Strome goes to the box, 4 on 4 for 2 seconds. Detroit will finally see the other end of the ice for the first time in almost half a period. It looks like this could be a double minor.
Detroit loses the opening faceoff. Chicago gets the puck all the way down. They are going for it early. 3:30 left in the power play, Detroit gains the zone. No momentum or flow, Wings seem happy to bleed the clock right now. 4:00 left in the game. 2:30 of it is power play. First powerplay expires. 2:45 left in the game, Detroit in their own zone for 15 seconds. Finally get a shot on net with 40 seconds left in pp, 2:04 left in the period. Shots 36-33 Detroit.
Chicago clears with 20 seconds left on the pp. Officials blow the whistle with 15 seconds left on pp, 1:39 left in the period. Chicago wins the final faceoff and runs down the advantage. 1:20 left in regulation. Wings get the puck into Chicago zone with 1 minute left. Just playing to kill the clock. Chicago breaks in with 38 seconds left, Detroit clears. 20 seconds left and the Hawks dump the puck into the zone. Wings clear and end the game.
Read my previous posts:
Wings vs Hawks postgame
Wings vs Montreal Postgame
Wings vs Canadiens pregame
Soderblom leads Frolunda in goals
Wings shutout by Flames
Wings vs Flames pregame 
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