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40 shots converted to 3 goals, but 2 of them were empty netters. Jake Allen was fantastic. Ville Husso turned away 29 and had a good showing, but Allen was absolutely fantastic.
Elmer’s glue - score and play like that on a 3rd line that made their presence felt throughout the night. It’s impossible not to be happy for Soderblom as so many things just made this first outing fantastic. That puck will be on a mantle or in a frame soon enough. This is another player who turned it on last year (in Sweden) and put his game together in a way that couldn’t be ignored. 6’8… with a 6’6… center and another winger at 6’3… and they can all skate. Nicely done.
I thought Veleno had a good showing, especially at points on the PK. He is using his speed and strength together and committed himself to the defensive side of the puck. That was something that was missing. Continued play like this will grab him the roster spot the eluded him last season.
Yes, I’m a sentimentalist and I thrive on the heart warming moments. Seeing Vladdy on the screen and having the arena chant his name took me back to games in Washington in 1998 where even the Caps fans cheered for the monstrous Dman whose career was cut short by a limousine accident after the 1997 win. I used to wonder if he’d been spared, and if Jiri Fisher had not had the heart troubles what the blue line would have looked in those years between ‘02 and ‘08. Two very gifted blue liners with careers cut short.
Overall, I loved the pace. For me, the best regular season games are the first 15 and the last 15. The first 15 are “so happy to be back on the ice… and the last 15 are a battle to either get in the playoff picture or play spoiler and pad your stats.
We’re seeing a lot of physicality from the team. There were some borderline hits, but overall I like seeing that determination. Too many games in the “dark days… felt like there were players who didn’t care. Tonight it looked like a team that wants a better future and a stronger presence.
First Period Detroit Goals: Despite 25 SOG, no 1st period goals
Second Period Detroit Goals: Shots 34-18 in D’s favor, still no goals
Third Period Detroit Goals: Elmer Soderblom’s first was Detroit’s first of the season. On a line where 6’3… is short. What I respect about Rasmussen played into it. Hard play, never quitting and two skyscrapers banging away at the puck in the crease. His parents are there, that is just awesome. Ras actually smiled (3rd time in 2 years) as he gave some praise to the rookie Swede on the bench. Already chemistry?
FIRST NHL GAME, FIRST NHL GOAL! âœ”ï¸ pic.twitter.com/YMh02spHrK
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 15, 2022
With 1:01 left, Rasmussen put the team up 2-0 with an empty net tally after a 2 on 1 with some passing from Sundqvist. All that was posted so far was the glamour shot for this
RASMUSSEN EMPTY NET!!!#REDWINGS, 2-0! pic.twitter.com/hKOxM75som
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 15, 2022
13 seconds later Maata scored another empty net tally, here is his glamor shot tweet:
ANOTHER!
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 15, 2022
3-0, #REDWINGS pic.twitter.com/NYvz7c9fOo