The Red Wings had it cut out for them in the 2023-2024 season opener. The New Jersey Devils are likely poised for a run at the Stanley Cup and Detroit is starting the season with a bunch of new faces. Nevertheless, both teams put on an entertaining 60 minutes of hockey, highlighted by superstar Jack Hughes and Red Wings newcomer Alex DeBrincat.. Oh and don’t forget the very-talented Ville Husso.
The game was also highlighted by some mistakes that Detroit couldn’t afford to make.
1st Period
We got to see a little bit of everything in the first 20 minutes of the season. A blend of power play (PP), penalty kill (PK), some big plays and a couple of whiffs.
Detroit looked good through the majority of it. I really liked what I saw when the Wings got their first chance on the PP. The penalty kill was solid as well. Klim Kostin was a player I noticed and Jake Walman was brilliant, water is wet, etc.
Husso would get pushed in the later stages but remained stout. The period closed on a sour note after Lucas Raymond whiffed on a “gimme” scoring chance. No scoring, but loved what I saw from the Wings in this period.
2nd Period
Definitely a different story.
New Jersey came out punching and Detroit just kept taking it, slug after slug. If it weren’t for Ville Husso, this is a blowout. Vitek Vanecek played really well, too.. So it only makes sense that Detroit opened the scoring with an odd redirect from Daniel Sprong around the 12-minute mark. Here’s the play.
About a minute after Sprong scored, the Jack Hughes Show began. Hughes would score a power-play goal on a short-side flub off of Husso’s head/shoulder.. Seider played him correctly but Hughes pulled off a late shot behind the blue paint. Hughes would add another goal at even-strength in the final minutes of the second period. 2-1 after 40 minutes. Two near back-to-back penalties essentially changed the game for Detroit.
3rd Period
You saw improvement from Detroit compared to the last 20 minutes of hockey they played, though the Devils still controlled the tempo.
The Wings would tie the game when Alex DeBrincat picked up his first as a Red Wing on a man-advantage. It was a great snipe from the Cat, but it all started with Jake Walman drawing a penalty from Jack Hughes to create the PP chance. Watch the goal here.
Jeff Petry had a dreadful game. I’d argue that he was the worst player on the ice for both teams. Anyway, Dougie Hamilton would pick up the dagger at about the 16 minute mark. Erik Haula followed up with an empty-net goal. Despite a garbage-time tally from Robby Fabbri, the Devils would take this one.
FINAL: 4-3, Devils
Bright Spots: Jake Walman is good! Alex DeBrincat’s first goal as a Wing! And how about that Ville Husso?
Not-so Bright Spots: Jeff Petry.. and I didn’t care for the first line’s performance most of the game in all honesty.
Game Debrief
Obviously this loss kinda sucks because, well, it’s a loss and it’s the season-opener. Despite that, there was quite a bit to like from the Red Wings. They had it cut out for them against a stacked roster and one of the best teams the NHL has to offer.. and they stood up to the challenge for the most part. Bright spots on special teams, even-strength and in net. Just a few kinks to work out (maybe step back and reevaulate the 23-man roster.)
No matter. It’s game one of a very LONG season. Home opener is Saturday night against Tampa. Let’s focus on winning that one.
