In the NHL, in game momentum is critical. When players feel the adrenaline and are positive “puck luck… seems to follow. There are many people credited with the following statement, though it appears to have originated with Thomas Jefferson. “ I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it…. That quote embodies the idea of “getting bounces… in the NHL. Drive to the net hard, make good decisions with the the puck, create your own luck.
On Friday’s tilt vs the Boston Bruins, Dylan Larkin made just such a play. The Bruins had scored with in the first 2 minutes of the game. Larkin carried the puck wide and did a quick wrap around attempt. A couple bounces and that score was tied. That opportunity was created by doing a lot of things the right way. From that moment, the Wings started to look sharper. Timely, big saves from Bernier kept that momentum going. Robby Fabbri’s 2 PP tallies were a huge lift to the group.
It will be interesting to see how Fabbri’s second outing fares. What he did very well was release the puck immediately from the slot after 2 nice feeds from Bertuzzi. Perlini was given the opportunity as well, almost the same play, but couldn’t get the puck past Rassk. Perlini is another player who could use a shot in the arm.
Looking back at previous contests, in 4 games vs VGK the Wings have split 2-2-0. The wins both came in Vegas. Detroit has yet to beat Gerard Gallant’s team at LCA.
Players to watch: Mantha has 3 goals and 2 assists in 4 games vs the Golden Knights Larkin has 3 assists and Athanasiou has 2
For Vegas: Cody Eakin has 3goals and 1assist vs Detroit. Marchessault has 2 goals and 1 assist R. Smith has 1 goal and 2 assists
Vegas played Washington yesterday and lost 5-2. Back to back games plus some travel could see fatigue set in by the third period. Detroit needs to hold down the fort, particularly in the second period which has been their undoing many times.
Vegas has the second best PK in the league at 88.7%, and a PP of 21.9 for a special teams total of 110.6%. They’re a team that can play physical and kill the subsequent penalty. This iteration of the Golden Knights may be their most potent yet, though the early season record isn’t as dominant as in the past. Pacioretty, Marchessault, Karlsson and Stone all have the ability to overwhelm a defensive group. Apparently, so does Cody Eakin in games vs Detroit.
Detroit has a league worst PK at 67.2%, but the pp is on the rise at 15%. A special teams number of 82.2% still isn’t good enough, but improvements are being made.
This will be an interesting tilt. If Detroit can replicate the effort against Boston, they can take another game. Confidence goes a long way with this group. Avoid taking penalties is still a sound practice right now. Vegas’s physicality can draw the angry slash or cross check that can put Detroit in a bad spot. Physical engagement is highly recommended, but make sure you stay within the bounds of the game.
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