So far 4 games into the season, the Wing have a 2-1-1 record (5 Pts) and you can’t really complain too much… (out loud).The opening homestand is over and here were the results:
OTL v Tampa (7-6)
WIN v Vancouver (3-1)
WIN v Columbus (4-1)
LOSS v Calgary (3-0)
Here are some of the big takeaways…..
“Enough is Enough”
The identity that this team that taken on, as cliché and overused as it is, is “Detroit Vs Everybody”.. whether it be the opponent that the night, the referees.. who have a hard time finding their whistle for all these dirty/dangerous hits on Wings, and even the NHL Department of Player Safety that have no consistency with what merits fines and suspensions.
Game 1
The hit on Dylan Larkin by Mathieu Joseph, sending him head/neck first into the boards, dangerous hit… no call. Larkin retaliates with the right hand, Tyler Bertuzzi does his best Brendan Shanahan impression and comes flying in to the defense of the captain. Bertuzzi sits, Larkin gets the gate, and a trip to the specialist, no doubt to get his neck checked out.
Another blatant missed boarding call with the hit on Michael Rasmussen by Palat… which you could argue was more of a egregious/illegal/suspendable play than the hit on Larkin. Palat goes on to get the OT winner.
Game 2
Moritz Seider getting the sack tap/cup check by Oliver Ekman-Larsson, no call.. dangerous for the future of Seider to have more little future Seiders to grow up and play for the Red Wings. Tyler Bertuzzi comes to his aid and tries to scrap. There have been suspensions for the same play..
Conor Garland hit to the head with the reverse hit on Filip Zadina, actually was a call on this one. Believe it was Adam Erne first to the scene. Zadina proceeds to call him a midget in the press conference after the game.
Game 3
Hit on Lucas Raymond by Jack Roslovic, sending him face first into the boards, dangerous hit… no call. Raymond leaves the game and goes into concussion protocol. Larkin and Bertuzzi gives Roslovic the business (couldn’t help it) and Bertuzzi sits down for roughing. Roslovic ends up with the impression that Detroit doesn’t like him, can’t imagine why.
Game 4
Slash on Lucas Raymond by Matthew Tkachuk, causing Raymond to leave the ice gingerly, right in the front of the referee… no call. Sam Gagner took exception, came to the aid of the rookie. Luckily, Raymond did return.
Another cliché line… which I am full of.. is the team wants to be difficult to play against. If these plays keep happening, whether or not they are called, the Wings are responding and defending their own. The league needs to do better.
Players like Givani Smith (see below) stirring things up with physical play. Tyler Bertuzzi being his scrappy self and being the first into the fray to defend his team, fun to watch.
Detroit City Ain’t Nothin to Fuck With.
Detroit city football club (and now detroit red wings)
The Calder Trophy Will Be Won By A Detroit Red Wing!
This is my, not really a, hot take. A Detroit Red Wing will win the Calder Memorial Trophy, rookie-ish of the year.
Moritz Seider
(3 Pts through 4 games, 3 assists)
The more minutes he gets, the more confident Seider gets. He leads the league in minutes for rookies. He is already arguably Detroit’s best defensemen, quick stick, physical play. My favorite type of player; skilled and scappy.
We’ve already have seen him Mo Down* (working catchphrase) Milan Lucic in open ice…. He’s improving game after game.
Lucas Raymond
(3 Pts though 4 games. 1 goal, 2 assists)
All Lucas Raymond does is a create scoring chances. He already has two assists, he could have easily had more from that Calgary game. Sniper, great snapper. He is one of those players that pulls your attention when he is on the ice.
Looking at the list of dirty hits there, he obviously has the attention of the teams he plays against.
Alex Nedeljkovic
He’s eligible to win it. First game was rough against Tampa, but he did face 40+ shots. Was able to rebound and despite the loss, he did have a pretty good showing against Calgary. He’ll continue to grow and improve. I’ll bet he’ll be in the conversation before the year is out.
Tilts and Tumbles
Tilly!- Milan Lucic (Calgary) v Givani Smith (Detroit). The stones on Smith to take on Lucic… but he had a good showing. One of those great hockey things, premeditated, “after the puck, drops we’re going.” Self proclaimed “energy guy,” that’s certainly a way to go about trying to get the team going.
Roadtrip Begins Saturday
The Wings leave the warm and friendly confines of the Oven and begin a roadtrip on Saturday, actually the next 7 of the next 8 games are on the road.
3 of those games are in Canada. (Montreal X2, Toronto). That means since Tyler Bertuzzi is not vaccinated, he will not be crossing the border. Bertuzzi is a catalyst on this team. He leads the team in goals, and points. There is no doubt he the emotional leader of the team, a bit of a grinder. It will be interesting how the team fares without him. Good chance for Seider and Raymond to step up.
The rest of the month looks like this:
10/23 @ MTL
10/24 @ CHI
10/27 @ WASH
10/29 vs FLA
10/30 @ TOR
Greiss, Greiss Baby!
Yes, I hated myself the moment I typed it, but it’s still there…
How good is Thomas Greiss!? Leads the lead in save percentage, tied for second in goals against. He gives the Wings a chance to win every night. LGRW!
The Morning Skate 