Not that it gets any easier for Detroit in the games ahead but a rough road trip ends with a victory in Buffalo on Saturday night, 4-3 in OT.
Here’s the quick and dirty of the past week or so.
10/30 at Toronto 5-4 (LOSS)
11/2 at Montreal 3-0 (LOSS)
11/4 at Boston 5-1 (LOSS)
11/6 at Buffalo 4-3 (WIN OT)
Seider’s First Goal, An OT Winner
Again, Red Wings blog so have to mention either/or Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond. I’m going to mention them both. These two continue to lead the league in rookie categories. Just a run-through:
Points: 13 Lucas Raymond
Goals: 5 Lucas Raymond
Plus/Minus: 5 Lucas Raymond
Assists: 9 Moritz Seider, Raymond is second with 8.
Quick Notes on this one:
– Wings down 3-1 at halfway point of 3rd period.
– Tyler Bertuzzi pulls a Wyatt Earp in Tombstone, says “no” and scores back-to-back goals and ties it.
– Moritz Seider scores first NHL goal from Bertuzzi, OT GWG. OMG. Game Over…. LOL
– Lucas Raymond with 3 assists, contributing to every regulation goal.
Canada Has Not Been Kind
So far, Detroit is winless when crossing the border with no points. (0-3-0) Outside of the Toronto game, they have only scored one goal.
One of two things are true, in years past where Detroit has had Montreal’s number, the opposite is true this year and/or Tyler Bertuzzi is a cog that makes the machine run better. I know, “hot take, bro”.. His 8 goals is tied for 3rd best in the league, 13 points, definitely missed when he’s not in the lineup.
The Toronto game has been the game they’ve played all year and it’s what Detroit needs to do without Bertuzzi in the lineup. Someone steps up, the team fights for the solid sixty and good things happen.
Down early, they claw their way back. Erasing a 2 goal deficit in the 3rd period. Young players playing out of their minds, this time it was Joe Veleno who was called up from Grand Rapids. Took him a while to get into the game, but his goal and assisting on Namestnikov’s goal in the third period brought the Wings within one. Unfortunately, they couldn’t complete the come back this time and at least get a point. But no quit through 60 minutes*
Dylan Larkin – Out For Personal Reasons
Before the Montreal game, Coach Blashill put out that Dylan Larkin will miss the game due to personal reasons. He hasn’t been with the team since. Larks is still on the active 23-Man Roster.
No one has officially come out and said what the personal reason actually is; the league, the team, nor the captain. For whatever reason he has stepped away, it was because he needed to and that should be enough.
This is still a game. These are not gladiators in the coliseum. Players are making choices to step away from the ice, making decisions to put their personal lives, physical and mental wellness ahead of the sport. We’re fans. We’re not entitled to explanations. We support players on the ice, we should support them off the ice as well.
Upcoming Schedule
Wings start a nice little homestand against some very good teams.
11/7 Sunday vs Vegas
11/9 Tuesday vs Edmonton
11/11 Thursday vs Washington
11/13 Saturday vs Montreal
Michigan Hockey Puts little brother Back In Their Place
Of course, the Michigan Fan in me has to comment. After the football team losing a close game last weekend, definitely heartbreaking.. I had feelings.. anyway.. the Michigan hockey team swept Michigan State in a home/home this weekend.
Friday at Yost: WIN 7-2
Saturday at Munn: WIN 3-2
Michigan Hockey is good. Draft picks do draft pick things.
This weekend:
Matty Beniers (Kraken): 4 goals
Luke Hughes (Devils): 2 goals 1 assist
Kent Johnson (CBJ): 4 assists
Owen Power (Sabres): 4 assists
The Morning Skate 