Dylan Larkin (3 goals) and Tyler Bertuzzi (2 goals) lead the Red Wings to a 5-2 victory on Saturday night as the New Jersey Devils came calling in their new “Jersey” 3rd jerseys… which are hideous.
Another win at Hot and Ready Arena…Detroit is now 11-3-2 at home this season.
COVID Still Sucks (Cont’d)
Other teams have it worse but the Wings added 4 players, including Alex Nedeljkovic, and 2 coaches, including head coach Jeff Blashill, to the COVID protocol on Saturday before the game. Those names add to the list that already had Robby Fabbri and Michael Rasmussen from Wednesday.
There have been a wave of positive tests across the NHL. In response, the NHL has re-instituted daily testing. And while on the road, both players and staff are confined to their hotels. Nearly 1 out of 10 NHL players are now on COVID protocol; 130+ players. The province of Ontario has gone back to limiting arena capacity of 50%. The Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche and Florida Panthers have suspended play and postpones games until at least December 26th over COVID concerns. These “enhanced measures” will stay in place until at least January 7th when they will be revisited.
As the Wings were slated to play Colorado on Saturday, that game has been postponed.
Current Wings on COVID Protocol:
Robby Fabbri
Michael Rasmussen
Filip Zadina
Givani Smith
Carter Rowney
Alex Nedeljkovic
Jeff Blashill
Alex Tanguay
Dylan Larkin’s First Career Hat Trick!
Was a bit surprised when I realized this was Larkin’s first career hat trick. With players out on COVID protocol, it was so huge that the top line stepped up and really controlled this game. Larkin ended up adding another assist, to his 4 point night.
And we’ll go goal by goal.
1) The Bounce (The Early Christmas Present). The more I watch this goal, Hronek set this up so beautifully with the saucer pass.
Goal #2- Namestnikov down low feeds Larkin skating right up Woodward.
And Goal #3 – Gets fed, left all alone at center ice and streaks in on a breakaway, doesn’t miss…
The Morning Skate 