If you read the box score and see the Ovechkin had a hat trick, it may escape you that two of his three were empty net goals. This is nothing to disparage Ovi, more to bring some stabilization to the goal differential. The great “8… scored his 18th, 19th and 20th goals and sits at 678 career goals, now only 6 away from tying Teemu Selanne. The fist goal from Ovechkin was a shockingly quick wrap around shot. He just knows how to get the puck on net.
In the end, it was Tom Wilson’s breakaway backhand goal that sealed Detroit’s fate. Robby Fabbri scored again on the power play and Glendening went bar down on a really nice shot. More than the score, Detroit had a much better effort throughout the game and Bernier gave them a chance. Those are parts of a game that a team can control, and an effort like tonight’s will result in success if replicated.
The loss of Mantha creates a literal vacuum. It’s hard to measure the effect a player has just by the numbers. Larkin and Bertuzzi are skating through mud without big Mo. the team had just improved to having 2 solid lines and now are back to 1 2/3 give or take. The other issue this brings is that the opponent can focus all their energy on 5 players. Being able to focus in on fewer than 2 scoring lines is a huge advantage in the matchup game.
At one point, it looked like Filppula just missed the net on a golden opportunity. In fact, John Carlson managed to spin around and get his stick on the puck. What Detroit can learn from a team like Washington is that you never quit on a play. That last effort makes the difference so many times. Samsonov looks to be a future starter in the NHL. The play in net was high level. Washington has threats on every line as well as a fantastic tandem in net. The fact that Bernier and the Wings kept the contest so close is impressive.
This all goes back to preparation and energy. Detroit seems to play a much better game against a stronger team. If the Wings could bring that same focus and determination on a regular basis, they would find some more success.
The expectation is, clearly, for Detroit to acquire a high draft pick the most painful way possible this year. It is still important to see some improvement in key players. Robby Fabbri has been an incredible pickup.it’s looking more and more like Zadina is struggling to find his game at this level, but this sample size is not the friendliest right now. #11 needs to score, it’s in his blood. He will break through, there is just some more development needed.
Another tough contest is coming in the form of the New York Islanders. Barry Trotz has helped turned that squad into a stingy defensive machine. It will take a lot of things going very well for the Red Wings to break the streak against the Isles.
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