Follow me on Twitter Follow @TheJeremyLaura
Summary: It was a good start for the Wings squad tonight. Except for a last minute shot, Detroit held the Leafs to a single shot in the first period. It felt more like the kind of start this team has been looking to find. That’s where the good times ended.
With a final score of 4-1, Toronto outshot Detroit 15-5 in the third period. Fatigue and a clear lack of the high end scoring talent that Toronto boasts became painfully obvious.
We are in the “desperate… part of the season for each Division. Unfortunately the Atlantic boasts some serious fire power and teams that can let a bad period slip by and come back firing on all cylinders. (I swear, if LaLonde goes “underlying stats again……)
This is the painful part of the growth process. Detroit is starting to add pieces. Right now, they’re making poor decisions and it looks like a lack of confidence. Perron needs to get back to being the more “mature… leader he was at the beginning of the season. He’s taking way too many trips to the box.
Not to shock anyone, Toronto is flat out a better team than Detroit. Just pull it off like a band-aid. If they could add the defensive pieces for the post season a deeper playoff run could very well follow.
I do like that Walman scored in his hometown. That was fun to see, and he seems to be gaining confidence more and more. Seider is heading the wrong way on the confidence meter, as is Hronek. (You can probably count Raymond in there as well). It’s a long season, and the mental acumen and maturity needed to succeed and then follow that up with the hardest hockey you see all year in the playoffs is part of what makes that cup so special.
There are lessons to be learned, and tape to be reviewed. It’s still a privilege to be able to watch these games. There was a day and time when it was much harder to see them. Tavares has impressive speed still, and the longer he can stay healthy the better off that team will be. Some good up and down play tonight, some high tempo sequences. Even though Detroit was on the losing end, it was still fun to watch.
First Period Detroit goals:
Detroit opened the scoring as Toronto Native Jake Walman got his 3rd of the season (did the archer celly instead of the gritty) as Maata made around 150 ft pass from his own zone to Walman who had just exited the penalty box undetected.
THE WAL MAN, MAN! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/VznuCub9qq
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 8, 2023
Shots: 8-2 DET Score: 1-0 DET
Second Period Detroit goals:
No Detroit goals in the 2nd period
It took all of 24 seconds into the second period on Toronto’s 3rd shot of the game that the Leafs tied it up. 1-1
Leafs scored again at 6:37 on just their 4th shot. Missed assignment and Tavares was wide open. 2-1
Shots: 18-14 DET Score: 2-1 TOR
Third Period Detroit goals: No Detroit goals in the 3rd period
At 6:19 in the third, Toronto scores again. This one feels like a dagger shot. 3-1 Leafs
With 1:39 left Detroit had pulled the goalie and Tavares made it 4-1
Shots: 29-23 TOR Score: 4-1 TOR