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In search of more O from the D |
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There are numbers that firmly establish the difference between the Detroit Red Wings and their Saturday opponent, the St. Louis Blues, starting with their overall records this season. The Blues sit atop the NHL’s Central Division at 19-8-2 and second overall in the Western Conference. The Wings are fifth in the Atlantic Division at 11-12-5 and 14th overall in the Eastern Conference.
The are other digits that also clearly indicate the discrepancies between the teams, and offer a vivid indication of how far the once-mighty Red Wings have fallen. For example, take goal-scoring by defensemen. The Blues lead the NHL with 22 goals scored by their rearguard, and that’s despite the fact that Colton Parayko’s tally in their 3-0 win over Dallas on Thursday was their first goal from a defenseman in eight games.
The Wings’ defense, on the other hand, have accounted for five goals, good for 30th in the NHL. Only the Buffalo Sabres (one goal) trail Detroit.
“I think we’ve had some D that have had some chances, but haven’t scored quite as much,” Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. “I don’t think we have a D corps that has a whole bunch of natural goal scorers on it, but that’s OK. They’ve played real well in the role they are (filling).”
Last season, Mike Green scored 14 goals to lead the Detroit defense, which finished with 31 goals as a group. This season, Green is among the NHL defensive scoring leaders with 2-16-18 totals, and he thinks the key to getting more red lights lit by the Detroit back end is to get the Detroit back end on the front burner when it comes to attacking the opposition net.
“I think we can emphasize (joining the rush) a little bit more,” Green said. “There’s a fine balance between getting up in the rush and being risky, and playing the right way. I think us as defensemen try to find that balance.
“If we can create a little more zone time in the O-zone where we can kind of jump into holes, maybe that’ll create some more. You can always try to push to do a little bit more.”
Bertuzzi Recalled
An apparent injury to forward David Booth led to the Friday recall of left-winger Tyler Bertuzzi from AHL Grand Rapids.
Bertuzzi, 22, the nephew of former Wings forward Todd Bertuzzi, went pointless in seven games for Detroit last season. He’s considered the most NHL-ready of all the club’s prospects in Grand Rapids and if not for a wrist injury in preseason, might have made the big club out of training camp.
He’s seen as someone who can supply grit in a checking role, but should also be able to score some at the NHL level.
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