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Summary: even for a preseason game, this was a rough watch. Missed empty nets, terrible coverage, even Bedard couldn’t enjoy his first of the preseason as it was into an empty cage. The roster Detroit sent was not good, I don’t know how much of Chicago’s roster from tonight will be starting in the NHL this year.
At the end of the game, it sounded like chants of “we want the cup…, but that was corrected by the announce team as something unfavorable to do with Detroit. Regardless, it was at least a decent showing for Joe Veleno.
Veleno has an interesting road ahead of him this year. He and Berggren were working together for much of the night, and both looked like bottom 6 players (possibly bottom 3). Veleno can skate and has the ability to get to the net. If he can find some scoring to go along with those it could change his fortunes. You need depth players, to be sure, but in the “stagnant cap era… that going to be ELC mixed with near league minimum. (My opinion).
This is just one of those preseason games where it’s clear Detroit doesn’t want unneeded wear and tear on players they place higher value on. I felt bad for Perron as he legitimately tried to make some plays. Anisimov wasn’t a force du jour in this tilt. This was a bit of an awkward contest. Part of it has to do with NHLPA rules about having 3 games in a row (which is Detroit’s odd fate as they will ice a team in Pitt tomorrow and in Toronto on Thursday). There just isn’t an easy way to handle that kind of schedule while minimizing the risks of injury due to fatigue.
Chicago is going to have an interesting year. Detroit has certainly seen its share of difficult outings, but in the past few years Chicago has seen hall of famers retire or move on. Hossa, Toews, Kane, Panarin, Debrincat (though Panarin was much more far back than the others). A new GM, a very new look, and a new set of challenges to be sure.
We’ll see what Detroit brings to the ice in Pittsburgh tomorrow and who they are planning to send to Toronto. Talk of moving Nylander has picked up but Detroit may already be out of the running. The ask for his next deal is going to be high and no one really knows which conversations have been had at this point. The focus on Center and Defense has to take priority over a scoring winger at this point (again, opinion) and we’ll see what develops in that realm. Let me know what you thought of the game, and how you think these next few games are going to pan out. Thanks, as always, for tuning in.
First Period: A Copp line vs. a line with Bedard. Tyler Johnson had a chance to cash in 37 seconds in with a good high energy start. Detroit has to get into this quickly. Husso made a nice stop about a minute in. Hawk score on the 5th shot with Corey Perry driving hard to the net. Hawks outworking the Wings B squad with a mixed bag as well. They were much more prepared to start this one. 1-0 CHI.
With 12:40 left Hawks outshooting Wings 6-2. Wings starting to pick up the energy.
Wallinder headed to the box for holding at 9:57. Not sure where I’m at with this young Dman.
90 seconds in Veleno had a wrist shot on goal and is really moving out there. Wings kill the advantage. Shots now 7-6 CHI. No shots on that power play. Obviously this is preseason play. Very different looking ‘Hawks team. Energy not nearly what regular season at United Center had been in years past. Two teams in rebuild mode.
With 5 minutes left Anisimov had a great chance with Mrazek making a solid stop. Perron set up the play from behind the net.
Wings get a chance on the power play near the end of the first. Johnson called for tripping at 16:59. Wings with decent movement but zone is cleared after about 40 seconds. with 20 second left in the man advantage Wings now lead SOG 14-12. Hawks kill remaining advantage. Final minute of play at even strength.
Score: 1-0 CHI Shots: 14-13 DET
Second Period
Just one minute into the second period Veleno drops to the knee taking a pass from Berggren and ties up the score. 1-1. 16 seconds later Detroit is heading to its second power play as Murphy was called for tripping against Berggren.
Detroit’s power play was awful. Chicago had a 2 on 0 and a blown tire by Entwistle was the saving grace for the Wings who botched a line change. This is a painful watch tonight. Either the ice is in bad shape or the skate sharpener just passed its warranty.
At 15:30 Murphy went largely unopposed to the blue line and launched a shot past Rasmussen and in. 2-1 CHI. Shots 19-17 CHI. This game is painful to watch. Detroit is heading toward the box after a missed opportunity by Bedard. Holl seemed to be more of a spectator than defender on that play and now sits for up to 2 minutes.
Wings kill the penalty, more due to the inability of the Hawks to finish than the defensive play of Detroit. This is a disjointed mess right now.
Score: 2-1 CHI Shots: 22-17 CHI
Third Period:
Veleno gets his second of the night at 4:49. Best skater for Detroit tonight. Nice release on the shot. 2-2.
Veleno to the box at 8:36. Hawks to the powerplay. Corey Perry restores the lead as Hutchinson completely abandoned the net. 3-2.
Detroit to the power play with 6:18 left. Fail to convert.
Detroit pulled the goalie, then got penalized. Bedard got his first of the season as Detroit pulled the goalie while short handed. 4-2 CHI. Shots 34-19.