Pretty damn busy week for the Detroit Red Wings. Also pretty damn successful.
A couple of months ago, you may have looked at the schedule for this week and thought to yourself “that’s a brutal stretch.” Despite a handful of division opponents and a team with the two “best” players in the NHL, the Wings are on a five-game heater. The success comes off of strong efforts from goaltending, defense, and captain Dylan Larkin, who has 11 points on the season as I write this Sunday evening.
The week started early Monday in Toronto. The Wings kinda got cooked in this game but somehow stole a win from the Maple Leafs. Toronto outshot Detroit 40-15 and won 61% of face-offs yet… somehow could not win this game on home ice.
What I liked about this game: I like any win over a division rival, especially the Leafs. It seemed liked both teams were content collecting a point and going to OT, but Mason Appleton had other plans for the day. He scored the game-winning goal with 45 seconds left in regulation. It was a beauty, too. I also think it’s cool that James van Riemsdyk scored his first goal as a Red Wing.
What I didn’t like about this game: Lucas Raymond got hurt. I absolutely HATED that.
Mason Appleton continued his role as fill-in for Lucas Raymond on the top line with Dylan Larkin and Emmitt Finnie. Appleton played a big role once again in a 4-1 win over the Florida Panthers on Wednesday. A pair of goals for him, one of them was on an empty net. Another big game for Cam Talbot as well, allowing just one goal on 21 shots faced.
What I liked: Second game in a row Detroit held its opponent to zero power play goals. Detroit’s special teams seem more balanced, which is highly encouraging.
What I didn’t like: Nothing that the Wings did. I just don’t like that this is not the team the Florida Panthers are. They’re missing key players so this win isn’t the type of statement I had hoped it would be. Wins a win tho.
Then onto to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a Friday night filled with fun at Little Caesars Arena! This was the John Gibson redemption game. After a rotten debut, the newly-acquired goaltender stole a game for his team. Honestly, Detroit was in control most of the game, but holding onto a 1-0 lead late in the game is always bound to get messy. Florida eventually tied it up and Gibson had to dance on his head a little to get the game to overtime. Dylan Larkin was the hero in overtime… just a kick-ass moment:
What I liked: Obviously Larkin’s OT goal was awesome as hell. But how about Axel Sandin-Pellikka picking up his first-career NHL goal? …and doing it the same exact day that Nicklas Lidstrom scored his first NHL goal??? what the hell.
Feeling much better about John Gibson, too. The Wings usually lose games like this so it’s nice to see him step up.
What I didn’t like: When Tampa started to take over the game, the Wings looked ugly all over the damn place. Nope. Don’t like that.
The Red Wings closed out the week with a Sunday afternoon matchup against Edmonton at LCA. No matter the outcome, it was good to see Lucas Raymond back in the lineup. But, wow, what a freaking game. Dylan Larkin went on a scoring rampage, continuing his hot start to the season. The captain had two goals and two assists, while his rookie linemate Emmitt Finnie scored his first-career NHL goal, picked up an assist, then an ENG to top it all off.
John Gibson looked solid again, after saving his team on Friday. I thought Albert Johansson had an excellent game. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard had several chances, so you can expect that first goal to come sooner rather than later.
All-in-all, holding Connor McDavid to zero points and a -2 is just the cherry on top of this excellent week of Red Wings hockey. Hell yeah.
The week ahead is much lighter. Three games including two on the road starting Wednesday. The Red Wings are scorching hot right now, folks.
This Week’s Record: 4-0-0 (s*ck it haters)
Red Wings Season Record: 5-1-0
Next Up on the Schedule:
Weds, Oct. 22: at Buffalo (7:30 PM ET)
Thurs, Oct 23: at NYI (7:00 PM ET)
Sat, Oct 25: vs St. Louis (7:00 PM ET)
Meanwhile in Grand Rapids, the Griffins are 4-0-0 on the season after a pair of wins over the Manitoba Moose this weekend. Postava and Cossa look to be a solid tandem and Carter Mazur looks GREAT coming off of his injury.
