After what seemed like a lifetime, the Red Wings played their season-opening game Saturday night in Nashville against the Predators. The Wings are a big question mark this season… We know they won’t be a great team, but how bad will it be? The game in Nashville showed one thing: the top line isn’t anything you should be worried about.
The good guys really came out strong, I have to admit. I wasn’t anticipating much, what with Andreas Athanasiou out, and Luke Glendening playing so high in the lineup. The Predators are easily a better team, but Detroit’s first line came out saying it can skate with the best of them. Tyler Bertuzzi opened up the scoring with what would be a career night for the winger. Not long after, Anthony Mantha picked up a tally, an early sign that this top line could make a lot of noise this season.
The Predators would manage to score a goal in the first period, but it was called back, thanks to a coach’s challenge by Jeff Blashill. Good call on Detroit’s part. I didn’t see it at first, but it would end up being a goal that decided the game.
The second period didn’t provide much for Detroit — Anthony Mantha did take a penalty which quickly turned to a power-play goal from Viktor Arvidsson. Nashville tied the game later in the period from Filip Forsberg — an incredible shot, shortly after the face-off.. It beat Jimmy Howard on the short side.
Into the third period, the top line continued to show dominance, this time around, Dylan Larkin picked up his first tally of the season. This goal was my “goal of the game” if you ask me.. Just watch the GIF, that’s all you need:
never give up. dylan larkin kicks ass. pic.twitter.com/wtiROaoik1
— Kyle M. (@KyleWIIM) October 6, 2019
Being the talented team they are, the Predators managed to knot the game up at 3, despite a strong effort by Jimmy Howard. The dagger goal came from none other than Luke Glendening, about 10 minutes into the final period.
With just over two minutes, the Predators pulled Juuse Saros, and the Red Wings managed to strike shortly after — Tyler Bertuzzi with his second goal of the night, and his fourth point, a career-best. That would do it.
Not exactly a dominant win for the Red Wings, but what is most encouraging is the performance from the top line. Bertuzzi, Mantha, and Larkin all have a ton of potential to make noise this season. We’re not saying the Red Wings will be a contender, but hey, maybe they will be a spoiler team?
Not much rest to be had — the Red Wings will be back at home Sunday night against the Stars. We’ll see you there.
