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Game Summary: The Power Play finally clicked. That is very good news. Perron had a 3 point night. That is also very good news. The very bad news is that shortly after Detroit scored, L.A. seemed to come screaming back with the answer.
There’s an old philosophy that the shift after a goal is scored is incredibly important. L.A. has an uncanny ability to get on the ice and erase the points against. Detroit’s PK did well tonight, but the power play is still struggling. Perron finally connected after some nice touches in the O zone.
For me, seeing Larkin erase Petterson’s (correct to Arvidson per H2) empty net opportunity without taking a penalty was a thing of beauty that led to Detroit getting the game to OT. 5 of 6 points in the first 3 games is not bad at all. We have a lot more right shooting players and it’s taking some time to get used to. Very different passing sequences.
Shots on goal were very close (36 to 33 in L.A.s favor), but the Kings dominated in the faceoff circle. 64.5 to 35.5. Where that matters is especially in zone faceoffs and even more when special teams are on the ice.
It’s hard to put into words, but L.A. just seemed more confident with the puck. There were a lot of “whiffs… from Detroit players. Shots that missed the mark on the stick blade. Passing that seemed to trickle. The group just looked out of sorts on several shifts. I wonder if especially the young players have trouble using a different puck game time than in practice. Most of you know that the game time pucks were outfitted with some transmitters (as were the jerseys) and there is a different “feel… to the game day pucks. More information than ever is being uploaded with every move.
Regardless, the team still has more to be optimistic with but clearly needs a second top 6 center. That’s a deal I’d like to see happen, but they don’t exactly grow on trees(and no storks are involved at all to my dismay). I like the top 2 D pairings, but would still like Chycrun or someone else to come in on the right side. Imagine having Hronek as your 3rd line D man, that would be some impressive depth (assuming he’s not part of the trade).
Most of you know that I avoid stats for about the first 10 games. The team is settling in and getting to know each other as well as a new system this year. The PK seems improved. Breakouts have had some much better moments, and freezing the puck and opposing players in the D zone is getting better. With a few days off and plenty of tape, we’ll see if we can get some more out of the power play.
First Period Detroit goals: At 4:26, Erne and Suter broke out of their own zone with a 2 on 1 after Maata and Suter helped to cause a turnover. Erne was confident with a nice wrister instead of an attempted pass. This was Detroit’s first shot of the game. 19 seconds later L.A. evened it up.
Adam Erne snipes his first of the year. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/oW50eFqylh
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 17, 2022
Second Period Detroit goals: At 9:15, Kubalik gets the puck to Perron who makes no mistake with an off side snapshot. Kubalik had initially fumbled a pass a bit as the Wings seemed to be having trouble getting good wood (composite) on their shots. Nice goal for Perron, 2nd as a Wing and ties up the score 2-2. Maata w/2nd apple
.@DP_57 in this wheelhouse. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/rPHZD4NEVb
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 18, 2022
Third Period Detroit goals:
The power play finally got going as Perron had a nice passing sequence with Sundqvist and Hronek. Perron too just a second to adjust the angle and wristed a beauty far side to tie the game. (2:02 later L.A regained the league on a Patrick Roy special
Have yourself a night, David Perron! The veteran @DetroitRedWings forward snipes his second goal of the night, and we're tied up once again! #LGRW I @ThinkFordFirst pic.twitter.com/XPHxz2ChyN
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) October 18, 2022
With just 40.9 seconds left, Detroit tied up the game as Sundqvist spun in front of the L.A. net while the Wings had the goalie pulled. None of that happens without an insanely good defensive play as Petterson was skating straight toward an empty net by diving, getting his stick between the skates of Petterson and knocking the puck away without taking a penalty. Unbelievable effort. Perron and Kubalik had assists on the goal. That’s a 3 point night for DP
Sunny to send it to OT! pic.twitter.com/fwSxVQTCyb
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 18, 2022
OT goal: No Detroit goals in OT, L.A. wins