I guess we should get used to the whole “getting outshot” thing, huh? The Red Wings pulled off a 5-3 win over the New Jersey Devils Thursday night despite being doubled up in shots (40-20). Shots on goal didn’t matter again for the Wings, it was special teams and “old fashioned hockey” that won them this game and brought them above the .500 mark in the very early stages of this season.
Getting Physical
Gotta hand it to the Wings — they showed their muscles in this game and didn’t let the Devils push them around. In fact, I think it was their physicality that helped propel them to this win. It’s nice to see guys like Ben Chiarot, Michael Rasmussen, and Christian Fischer show some grit, but it’s even NICER when you see it from Marco Kasper.
Special Teams Sputter but Gets the Job done
As I watched this game, it kinda seemed like special teams were going to be Detroit’s silver bullet. The power play struggled early on but in the end it was what helped the team win the game. Dylan Larkin and Patrick Kane both picked up huge PP goals in the third period and while the PK looked shaky, it got the job done in the closing minutes. It’s kinda BS that New Jersey had a power play so late anyways, but the officiating in this game was really bad.
Another Strong Outing for Goaltending
Cam Talbot stood tall and stopped 37 out of 40 shots. No ten-bell saves but overall sound goaltending from a veteran who knows how to keep his position. The tandem of Lyon-Talbot looks good.
Youth Additions Paying Off
The younger players on this team may not be scoring every night, but they’re playing good hockey. Simon Edvinsson has settled into a solid role alongside Moritz Seider. That pairing is eye candy for any hockey fan. Cerebral, skilled, physical. Marco Kasper is playing big minutes (in all situations, mind you) for a 20-year-old and looking damn good — not just for his age.
YOU GOT MOOSE’D
Michael Rasmussen scored an empty-net goal late to put the game away, but it was what happened after the goal that was really awesome:
FINAL: 5-3 Red Wings
The Red Wings are off Friday and then are set for back-to-back games this weekend. It starts with a 1 PM ET puck drop in Buffalo on Saturday.
