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Game Summary - I’ve talked before about games that, as long as the team plays, a loss doesn’t feel nearly as bad. If you didn’t like watching Kaprizov, it’s only because of the jersey. It was as exciting to watch that opposing player as it was watching Datsyuk (for me personally).
The third period was survival after two good periods to start things off. But, the final couple minutes was just awesome. The team stepped up. Minnesota keeps pucks in the zone like it’t nobody’s business. You have to fight to get past their blue line. Veleno played almost 2 minutes near the end and was engaged. Everyone was hitting. That was a fun game. It didn’t start out that way.
MN scored 1:32 into the game. Could have challenged for offsides but rule change may make it really tough on this one. Should Erne be with Raymond and Larkin? It would look like a good decision with about 3:19 left in the period. Those were my thoughts early on. It takes so little to deplete “depth… on this team still. That’s part of the process. (And there will never again be a Brett Hull/Datsyuk 3rd line a.la 2002). Watching Kubalik take a puck to the ear reminds me that there’s a reason they make covers for those. Hope he gets a set.
With about 7:16 left Larkin took a shot that went off the post. It was the right play. Raymond getting more confident looks too. That group with Ernie/Larkin and Raymond combined for the first Wings goal. Period ends tied 1-1 and 14 shots apiece. Lots of skating and MN has some really good puck handlers.
Raymond’s second goal was like a “reboot… goal. His first, you could see him holding back the smile a little. The second, there it was. The software upgrade to 22/23 was finally debugged for a few minutes and we saw the kid that hit NHL ice at 19. The improvement, he’s starting to hit back and be more physical. Larkin has had to learn to skate through punches, elbows (and has given them back, a little too much sometimes). Raymond, you could see, was doing the in tight post whistle jousting with whoever was clawing at him.
Soderblom still amazes me sometimes, the way he skates at that size. Zadina and Veleno seem to be clicking, but they need the right linemate to complete that. Those two both had good sequences, made some nice plays, and hit hard.
Erne, for me, had one of his best games in the Winged Wheel. Most of you know that I was not a fan of that addition. I honestly thought it was another Abby. However, he really worked well with Larkin and Raymond. He made the slick backhand pass to get Raymond on the board. It was a fast move in tight with great awareness and understanding who was sharing the ice.
Minnesota fans should only feel bad about the score. The Wild dominated most of the third and Kirill is still the thrill. This configuration may be one of the best high skill (top 6) forwards I’ve seen for this team. With consistent goaltending they can be very dangerous. This was a fun watch.
First Period Detroit goals: 16:51 - after some solid O zone play, Raymond gets his first of the season and he is trying not to smile. Ernie playing really well sends a beautiful backhand pass. Larkin with 2nd assist on that sequence.
RAZOR. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/zgoBHgny0f
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 29, 2022
Second Period Detroit goals: with 4.5 seconds left, the kid strikes again. Larkin did what Larkin does, he skates the puck through, gets the puck to Kubalik. A quick pass to Raymond who was right next to the goal (so glad to have a few more rightys) and shoots it 5 hole. It was very close to goalie interference had the puck not already been bumped by the goalie’s blocker as he reached back. Surprised there wasn’t a challenge, but good to see the kid do it again.
Lucas Raymond heating up. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1tM2JlxYEd
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 30, 2022
Third Period Detroit goals:
No third period goals