Jeremy Laura: Rasmussen, Copp and Fischer step up, Larkin scores 2 in return

I don’t care what jerseys they’re wearing… it’s cool seeing the Cat and Kaner working their magic again.

I don’t care what jerseys they’re wearing… it’s cool seeing the Cat and Kaner working their magic again.
- Chief4Feathers

Loved the connection for the Kane tally. I was sold on a shot and so was the goalie. Those two are special players to watch when they’re firing like that. Thanks for the drop in, very cool.

I thought for sure we were gonna lose big after the islanders got the 3rd goal. Just didn't think the guys would hold up. It's amazing to see how much The Captain brings when in the line up and the effect on the team it has. Time to get serious though we got some big tests a head of us.

3d line is an identity line; can do it all against just about any other line. Copp's found a groove, sorta. Fish seems like he's playing for his next contract, Ras is playing well in his roll; their chemistry is undeniable.

Let's talk Eddy. He's here to stay. He has refined his game SO much in GR. Stick work is awesome, reach is phenomenal, he's so controlled out there. I didn't see him rush a move, but he still moved with the ease of a seasoned vet. He made Larkin's goal at the defensive end, without him that never would have happened. I think he's going to be a steady presence on the D-line. REALLY liked what he did last night.

I just cannot fathom Larkin being THAT much of an influence on an entire team. There's GOT to be someone who steps up when he's hurt. Let's face it, teams know he's the cog in the machine and they're going to take him off his game EVERY chance they get. So, who steps up? Didn't see anyone really take charge while he was out, was like they all were waiting for him to return. We have to have a C that takes the lead.

Reimer let in a softy, but was controlled in the 1st which kept us in the game. We really need a stronger G set up.

Take the W and 2pts. The REAL test starts tomorrow.......

6 goals!!! Getting the scoring back is so important!!!! Yeah Reimer let in 1 softy, but he out worked Sorokin, one of the league's premier goalies! Reimer had 36 SA and Sorokin only 23 SA!!!!! So he did his job!!!!!!! I hope he starts against the Preds, the hottest team in the league now!

6 goals!!! Getting the scoring back is so important!!!! Yeah Reimer let in 1 softy, but he out worked Sorokin, one of the league's premier goalies! Reimer had 36 SA and Sorokin only 23 SA!!!!! So he did his job!!!!!!! I hope he starts against the Preds, the hottest team in the league now!
- HenryHockey

He did look good. I think that long-shot softy was an anomaly, but has to be worked on. He's let in a few softies. He's doing his part to hold things together, we need to buckle-down on defense. NYI crowded the net a few times and it felt like we didn't have enough push-back.

Was AWESOME to get the win, no doubt. That 3d line cannot be over-recognized; they scored 7pts total, had the GWG, and really pushed hard on the fore-check. Watched Copp out-work NYI on the PK a few times - made a real mess of NYI's attempt to set up. HOWEVER, he got hosed in the late-game FO; lost 4 in a row, we lost 6 or 7 in a row during that last 5+min. Gotta tighten up the FO dot and Copp's a pretty good FOW bet.....

Few things here n there that have been consistently a problem and remain so. But yeah, Reimer did an admirable job last night.

I get why they kept Edvinsson down this year, so he could be a 1st line guy and get plenty of PP and PK time, but he's clearly ready. He looked cool, calm and collected and he's already a top 4 pairing NHL caliber player. He has nothing left to prove in GR, so get the kid an apartment in Detroit!

I was critical of Larkin in year's past, and I didn't think he was a legit #1 center. I was wrong. He is everything a captain should be and while he may not be a top 10 (or 20 or 30) scorer, he's an elite player in this league. The Winged Wheel with the C on it is revered in Detroit. Larkin has earned it and he's as good of a captain as those who wore it before him.

I get why they kept Edvinsson down this year, so he could be a 1st line guy and get plenty of PP and PK time, but he's clearly ready. He looked cool, calm and collected and he's already a top 4 pairing NHL caliber player. He has nothing left to prove in GR, so get the kid an apartment in Detroit!

I was critical of Larkin in year's past, and I didn't think he was a legit #1 center. I was wrong. He is everything a captain should be and while he may not be a top 10 (or 20 or 30) scorer, he's an elite player in this league. The Winged Wheel with the C on it is revered in Detroit. Larkin has earned it and he's as good of a captain as those who wore it before him.
- bluelineenforcer

Wholly agree about Eddy, brother. He's done a great job working on flaws this year in GR. The thing is, I don't wanna short-change GR as they head into the play-offs....difficult balance, but Eddy's ready. And as he continues to grow, he's going to be a VERY good D-dude.

Larkin's not "that" guy (e.g., McDavid, etc...), so he's grossly under-rated, imo. He's not generational. He's a blue-collar, ass-kickin' behind the scenes LEADER. A heart n soul kinda guy. I think he's got the team in the palm of his hand, and there are VERY few guys in the NHL like him. I worry about wear n tear, for sure. We have GOT to get someone who replicates his play, but I think VERY few can replicate his heart and impact on this team....

I get why they kept Edvinsson down this year, so he could be a 1st line guy and get plenty of PP and PK time, but he's clearly ready. He looked cool, calm and collected and he's already a top 4 pairing NHL caliber player. He has nothing left to prove in GR, so get the kid an apartment in Detroit!

I was critical of Larkin in year's past, and I didn't think he was a legit #1 center. I was wrong. He is everything a captain should be and while he may not be a top 10 (or 20 or 30) scorer, he's an elite player in this league. The Winged Wheel with the C on it is revered in Detroit. Larkin has earned it and he's as good of a captain as those who wore it before him.
- bluelineenforcer

Last night was a bit of a shock to the system. The entire team seemed calmer but more engaged. Edvinsson has an insane reach. His skating and positioning looked solid. Very impressive. Larkin, whatever he says or does in the room changes the game. He pushes himself incredibly hard. a lot of us were shocked at what his absence looked like. I hope he starts to get more credit, but either way he’s going to give a lot to the group when he’s there. Seeing lines come together and players step up was a fun watch for sure.

First game I haven't needed an edible to keep my nerves in check in a long while. I anticipate Nashville will win Saturday, but we'll come out like a force of nature against Washington. As it looks, they'll be without Tom Wilson. As long as we stay ahead of those couple of teams behind us, I'll be happy with any playoff berth.

First game I haven't needed an edible to keep my nerves in check in a long while. I anticipate Nashville will win Saturday, but we'll come out like a force of nature against Washington. As it looks, they'll be without Tom Wilson. As long as we stay ahead of those couple of teams behind us, I'll be happy with any playoff berth.
- GutsoftheHawk

Yeah, the gut wrenching look of players looking lost was replaced by an engaged crew. Copp seems to have found his groove with Rasmussen and Fischer. While the dollar amount isn’t ideal, the work that line is putting in has helped move the needle. Hearing the place erupt when Larkin hit the ice was a very cool moment for fans and his parents. Shots of them getting fist bumps and clapping were incredibly cool. Reimer kept them alive, and while the first goal against him was soft, he made some big saves and got some serious puck luck on one or two. Fun night for sure.