Jeremy Laura: Wings fast start leads to 6-1 win over Blues in Saturday matinee

Absolutely domineering game!

Yeah. Full 60min of hockey. Agreed this was probably THE best game of the Yzerman era. As I watched, I could see everything fall into place....it all clicked. Cat, Larkin, Kane...the true #1 line. An unsung player, in my opinion? Maatta. He's such a steady presence, gets down low in the attack and roots around like a hog sniffin' for truffles. A sneaky-good pick up for this team. Was good to hear the compliments by Mess, he knows hockey for sure. To see him express his views of this team was a feel-good moment, for sure.

This team is good. Got some work to do, no doubt. But we're playing steady, dependable, focused hockey.

Absolutely domineering game!
- HenryHockey

Did you see the team Twitter? They apologized because they couldn’t keep up with the goal scoring!

Yeah. Full 60min of hockey. Agreed this was probably THE best game of the Yzerman era. As I watched, I could see everything fall into place....it all clicked. Cat, Larkin, Kane...the true #1 line. An unsung player, in my opinion? Maatta. He's such a steady presence, gets down low in the attack and roots around like a hog sniffin' for truffles. A sneaky-good pick up for this team. Was good to hear the compliments by Mess, he knows hockey for sure. To see him express his views of this team was a feel-good moment, for sure.

This team is good. Got some work to do, no doubt. But we're playing steady, dependable, focused hockey.
- mcmastermike1968

I swear they look like a different team again. Steps forward and players finding their spot. Really enjoyed the watch

Great goal tending, solid defense along with good offense. A great recipe.

Excellent game by the whole team maata is definitely a big upgrade over holl. He has really shown up the past couple of games and is noticeable. Raymond also had a strong game today and looks to be starting to command the ice when he is out there. Lyon solid again. This team is starting to look very good hopefully they can keep it up.

Excellent game by the whole team maata is definitely a big upgrade over holl. He has really shown up the past couple of games and is noticeable. Raymond also had a strong game today and looks to be starting to command the ice when he is out there. Lyon solid again. This team is starting to look very good hopefully they can keep it up.
- saintdog19

At this point, for today anyway, even Chiarot's been showing up consistently. Y'all know I'm not a huge Chiarot fan but he's REALLY been playing well. He & Peach's kid have been a very solid shut-down pairing. In reality, that's what we need; guys who can jump in the attack & those who can shut down an in-coming attack. But here's the thing; NONE of this would be happening if not for the confidence in the goalie situation. That gives the d-dudes the ability to play a bit more aggressively and do things unexpected of them. The impact if a strong G cannot ve overstated.....

Great goal tending, solid defense along with good offense. A great recipe.
- Bigfrog

This was the first time I can remember Subban and Co. giving so much attention to the defensive play. In a 6-1 game you don’t necessarily expect that, but Detroit was able to grab ahold of the pace of the game and have stretches of solid puck movement and boxing out the attack.

Excellent game by the whole team maata is definitely a big upgrade over holl. He has really shown up the past couple of games and is noticeable. Raymond also had a strong game today and looks to be starting to command the ice when he is out there. Lyon solid again. This team is starting to look very good hopefully they can keep it up.
- saintdog19

Well put

At this point, for today anyway, even Chiarot's been showing up consistently. Y'all know I'm not a huge Chiarot fan but he's REALLY been playing well. He & Peach's kid have been a very solid shut-down pairing. In reality, that's what we need; guys who can jump in the attack & those who can shut down an in-coming attack. But here's the thing; NONE of this would be happening if not for the confidence in the goalie situation. That gives the d-dudes the ability to play a bit more aggressively and do things unexpected of them. The impact if a strong G cannot ve overstated.....
- mcmastermike1968

I’m right there. I still can’t believe what a good pickup Walman has been. His instincts to join the rush are really good. It’s a good point that a solid anchor in net seems to energize the crew. To their credit, a few stops bounced into dangerous territory and the D swept the puck out of the crease. Right there to back up the goalie when needed.

Would really like to know what conversations Yzerman is having on the trade front with other GM's. ESPN mentioned he was fielding calls from other GM's about Detroit's defensemen... which surprised me. Gotta think Yzerman is going to stand pat at this point with the Wings playing this well. I'd be happy if he could move Holl and get something of value. My biggest concern is what happens with Berggren. Wings will need him next season.

At this point, for today anyway, even Chiarot's been showing up consistently. Y'all know I'm not a huge Chiarot fan but he's REALLY been playing well. He & Peach's kid have been a very solid shut-down pairing. In reality, that's what we need; guys who can jump in the attack & those who can shut down an in-coming attack. But here's the thing; NONE of this would be happening if not for the confidence in the goalie situation. That gives the d-dudes the ability to play a bit more aggressively and do things unexpected of them. The impact if a strong G cannot ve overstated.....
- mcmastermike1968

Well said.

Would really like to know what conversations Yzerman is having on the trade front with other GM's. ESPN mentioned he was fielding calls from other GM's about Detroit's defensemen... which surprised me. Gotta think Yzerman is going to stand pat at this point with the Wings playing this well. I'd be happy if he could move Holl and get something of value. My biggest concern is what happens with Berggren. Wings will need him next season.
- Vladdie_Kon1

Mornin', Vlad!

Oh, to be a fly on the wall. Totally agree with Holl. Then, could justify Eddy coming up....just a thought. The kids in the A are showing a level of maturity, we've got a good bunch down in GR.

Bergy's really off. Jeremy mentioned he's heard nothing about why, we've had a "leak" that he's not happy, etc.... He's played lights-out hockey. He's more than ready. When? With which team?

Here's the thing with me; "...you don't mess with a winning streak..." Bull Durham...). This team's FINALLY found an identity, a cohesiveness, a flow. Strictly for me, I'm not sure I want to tinker with that too much. Who do you sit so Bergy can play this year? How does it impact GR's run to the A's play-offs? Lots to consider. Now if the Wings crap the bed, ok bring him up, trade off some vets, re-cock for next year.

I want him in DET, 100%. He may not be happy, but if he can hold off, I think next year's his time to shine. If not, he's going to bring a very nice return.

Where are all the Kane haters that said Detroit was better off without him, and had a losing record with him in the lineup, pre all-star break?

Where are all the Kane haters that said Detroit was better off without him, and had a losing record with him in the lineup, pre all-star break?
- NC_Scott

Yeah!!! Where, exactly, are those nay-sayers?!?!? Kane has been awesome, Scott. His affect on the team is palpable. He's calm, technically savage, but more than anything; PROFESSIONAL. I'm dead-serious, he needs to be extended....MUST be extended. He's taken on such a huge load, removed the burden from Larkin, brought an introspective aspect to this team (makes these guys take hard look at how their play impacts the team).

I'll admit, I did not lile him in CHI. He was a light's-out Wing-killer. Now? I'll fist-fight my grandmother to keep him a Wing.

Where are all the Kane haters that said Detroit was better off without him, and had a losing record with him in the lineup, pre all-star break?
- NC_Scott

I don't think it was so much Kane "haters".. rather it was skepticism about his hip injury. I was for sure very leery about him being able to play at an elite level again. I did read up and saw how dedicated and how smart he was in terms of his rehab. He's been a gift to the Wings for sure. But getting Berggren back in Detroit is every bit as important as resigning Kane for another year or two. Something has got to give for both players to be in the lineup. We'll leave it up to Stevie to figure that out. I'm really hoping Danielson is good enough in camp next season to make the team as well. We'll have to wait and see if Yzerman is forced to move Berggren because they can't work out a contract.

Where are all the Kane haters that said Detroit was better off without him, and had a losing record with him in the lineup, pre all-star break?
- NC_Scott

And where are the nay-sayers that wanted Lalonde to be fired?!?!?!!!

And where are the nay-sayer that wanted Lalonde to be fired?!?!?!!!

- HenryHockey

I’ll own the LaLonde issue. To his credit, they changed the defensive scheme. It was a disaster for a while. Not sure who the architect of the current system but it’s made a huge difference. I’ll stay the course that LaLonde doesn’t “grab” the room, but this is a feather in his cap to be sure.

I don't think it was so much Kane "haters".. rather it was skepticism about his hip injury. I was for sure very leery about him being able to play at an elite level again. I did read up and saw how dedicated and how smart he was in terms of his rehab. He's been a gift to the Wings for sure. But getting Berggren back in Detroit is every bit as important as resigning Kane for another year or two. Something has got to give for both players to be in the lineup. We'll leave it up to Stevie to figure that out. I'm really hoping Danielson is good enough in camp next season to make the team as well. We'll have to wait and see if Yzerman is forced to move Berggren because they can't work out a contract.
- Vladdie_Kon1

It isn't a Kane or Berggren decision. There are other wingers on this team that will be allowed to walk, be traded or waived. I don't think Perron, Fischer or Kostin will be around next year. Sprong is on the bubble. And Copp, Fabbri and maybe Veleno may be traded for improvements, although Copp will be hard to trade without a sweetener and/or salary retention.

And where are the nay-sayers that wanted Lalonde to be fired?!?!?!!!

- HenryHockey

Finally having good goaltending is what fixed this team and I believe if Lalonde would have made the change sooner we would be further ahead today. Honestly if Husso would have not got hurt I believe Lalonde would have continued to make a mess of the goaltending situation. The team is very good. The coach is at best hopefully learning to be better.

I’ll own the LaLonde issue. To his credit, they changed the defensive scheme. It was a disaster for a while. Not sure who the architect of the current system but it’s made a huge difference. I’ll stay the course that LaLonde doesn’t “grab” the room, but this is a feather in his cap to be sure.
- Jeremy Laura

There were others. I think this defensive scheme took a while to fully understand and implement.
And people were still calling for Lalonde's job while they were in the "process" of getting better. Lalonde is an improvement over Blash, but then again he has better players to work with. And now that they are showing improvement, the players have fully bought in to his system. But adaptations and tweaking will still become necessary as they go forward. This team has the nucleus to be a very good team and has a good admiral, navigators, captain and mates to guide the ship forward into SC play-offs waters!

And where are the nay-sayers that wanted Lalonde to be fired?!?!?!!!

- HenryHockey

As usual....I'll own what I said. The team was lost, I felt he lost the room after Larkin's incident with OTT.

I.
WAS.
WRONG.

Whatever he's done has been impressive.

I'll own the criticism of Lalonde as well..... it was warranted, he kept putting Husso out there and we watched 4 to 6 goals put up a night....all while Lyon simply sat waiting..... he said all the wrong things in response to Larkin being knocked out by Joseph..... Im not sold on him and I'll readily admit that.... the boys are playing for each other and it's a great time to be a Wings fan..... as far as the coach, it's not the person.... its many decisions or lack of I've questioned, as many have......

Would really like to know what conversations Yzerman is having on the trade front with other GM's. ESPN mentioned he was fielding calls from other GM's about Detroit's defensemen... which surprised me. Gotta think Yzerman is going to stand pat at this point with the Wings playing this well. I'd be happy if he could move Holl and get something of value. My biggest concern is what happens with Berggren. Wings will need him next season.
- Vladdie_Kon1

What i heard from Darren Dreger on the radio weeks ago was that he heard from league sources that Yzerman was looking for a defenseman. It's possible he changed his mind or can't find what he needs for the price he wants to pay but we all know that one coming in would mean one has to leave.

Holl seems like the obvious choice since he is the odd man out most of the time but that being said, they likely would play him more if they were trying to move him. I hope that doesn't mean they want to move Maatta instead. I like him much better than Holl or Petry.

Wings need a RHD for the top 4. Not that many options out there aside from Tanev and maybe Rasmus Andersson from the Flames. Gudas from the Ducks. Schenn from the Preds. Maybe Jiricek as a longer term option but he might not be an upgrade for this season.

I don't think a pure rental is what Yzerman will be looking for unless it gets them rid of Holl's contract at the same time.