Follow me on Twitter
In the pregame blog I brought up the point that Detroit could actually win this series. Carolina has had a surprising bit of trouble playing the Wings this season, who entered tonight leading the series 4-3. Carolina was ready this time. Detroit only managed 17 shots to Carolinaâs 32. The lack of ability to set up in the offensive zone and get second and third chances was painful. Carolina looked every bit the team that can win this division.
One quick thought on the final 5 minutes. Blashill pulled a âRoyâ and had an empty net with 5:25 on the clock. To Detroitâs credit, they kept possession for over 3 minutes, but still couldnât set up any type of lasting cycle game. Detroit was basically run and gun on most of their chances. Vrana, to his credit, buried an incredible backhand shot. He came with speed through the neutral zone, grabbed the puck, did a 180 and scored backhand into the far corner. It looked like a shootout goal, a high skill shootout goal at that.
When Yzerman made the trade for Vrana, I compared him to Helm at his prime (back in â08 to about 2011). Helm was getting multiple breakaways every single game. GMs were calling, and there was a belief that Helm could play in the top 6 on most teams. His speed was elite back then. The problem was in the finish. Vrana has every bit of speed Helm ever had (probably more) and definitely has the finish. If youâre looking for a player on a breakaway, this is your guy. Larkin has similar speed, but nowhere near the type of finish that weâre seeing right now from #15. His goal would have had LCA on their feet and shouting.
Carolina controlled most of the play through the first two periods. Detroitâs defensive zone play was awful, way too many turnovers. Carolina struck twice in the second, and Detroitâs power play looked as bad as itâs looked all year. No one on the current roster seems to be able to set up and control on the cycle. All of Detroitâs chances come off of breakaways. Veleno showed some fantastic speed in the first, but no one could break through. Until, that is, Vrana scored on one of the nicest backhand shots Iâve seen since Bertuzzi was doing shootouts. His speed and skill to turn around and get that shot off is unreal.
Still, the problem remains. Without Vranaâs fantastic break through, this team is sunk. Vrana went full bore into the O zone, took the puck and got that shot off. But, his play in the defensive zone and ability to set up in the offensive zone are a huge problem. His bread and butter is the breakaway. Thankfully, he does it better than anyone on the roster. Athanasiou had been the âbreakaway kingâ for Detroit, and in his 30 goal season he had a few beauties. Vranaâs ability to get a shot off on the rush is the best on the roster. More likely than not, he will be challenged by Yzerman (again assuming that he stays with the team) to work on the defensive side (similar to what Zadina went through). However, if youâre looking to make a stretch play to get a forward in alone, Vranaâs the guy. Thereâs not even a close second right now.
Carolinaâs third goal was a fantastic example of what Iâm talking about. Win the faceoff, Guys get into position and get the shot off. Detroit is just trading chances on the rush and itâs a tough game to win. Carolinaâs possession, cycle, and regroup is a glimpse of where this group needs to get to. Losing Larkin is a huge hit. Bertuzzi, Fabbri, and Ryan all would have helped to set up shop on the power play and in general. I think Merrill didnât get enough credit for his ability to get the puck out of the D zone as well. The Wings are getting hemmed in and thrown around.
Detroit has added some elite speed in this acquisition. Mantha could never come close to the type of skating weâre seeing. Up and down the lineup the team is getting faster. If the team werenât down so many forwards, the missing pieces of the o zone attack may well have been more present. The need to improve on the blue line is painfully obvious. Somewhere, to keep moving forward, a shut down D man is going to have to be on the wish list.
What did you think? Let me know in the comments.
Check out my previous blogs:
Detroit vs Columbus post game
Detroit vs Columbus pre game - Veleno debut
Shifting tides - Detroitâs stock on the rise 
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»