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Summary: there were stretches where it felt like this was just another preseason tilt. Then, the heat started to turn up. Pittsburgh opened up the scoring as ex Redwing Xavier Oullete got his first of the preseason with just over 2 minutes left in the first.
If you read the pregame thoughts from earlier two of the players on radar were Sprong and Edvinsson. That turned out to be fortuitous. Sprong tied the game with some clever play after a faceoff win by Compher (who figured in on both goals) saw the winger play give and go with Jeff Petry. When Sprong found his spot a snap shot from near the blue line bested Nedeljkovic for the first time as the former Wings netminder had shown some strong play.
Lucas Raymond tried desperately to figure into the scoring. It was good to see him drive the net but he’s having some trouble elevating his shot in tight. There was some chatter that the third year pro made some equipment changes. Without calling my old contact at Warrior I don’t know what would make the difference in tight. Is it nerves? Should the winger be using tape/wax differently? Different curve? The flex doesn’t have the same play when you’re in that tight. (A salesmen tried to use Ovi’s curve and said the pucks just kept going over everything. Maybe get one of those).
Regardless, the goal by Edvinsson in the third may be one of my favorite of the preseason. Compher (who seems to find a way to have good moments and certainly seems to be an upgrade) calmly floated the puck to the 6’6… Dman who skated it in and was far enough out to get a nice bit of flex on the stick. Colby Armstrong thought it looked like he changed the angle just enough to fool Ned. Seems reasonable but when you get the away feed you get the away cope at times.
Regardless, for the final 2 minutes it was a good time. I haven’t had this much fun watching a game in far too long. Yes, it’s nice to come out on top. A tying goal by Pitt would have stung, but they were playing for their lives. A lot of hard work by Nylander and a lot of “almost… opportunities for Nylander. Seems to be on the cusp but for how long has that been said?
Regardless, my hat is off to two teams who treated this like much more than a preseason tilt. It’s been a shame to see a lot of empty seats. Tonight could have been a lot of fun, though I admittedly don’t know the cost of preseason tickets (and it’s a school night). The Penguins came out and respected the game. I don’t think Detroit started out in the right frame of mind, but they got there. The stats floating around out there of actually getting to the NHL and playing are astronomical. I’ve heard as high as 1 in 30k. Every jersey represents hundreds or thousands of people who wanted to get there but couldn’t. When I see that treated with honor it gives me hope for the game. (Sven will probably get the actual numbers by tomorrow.)
If you missed the game, do yourself a favor, at least watch the condensed version and not just the highlights. If you have time, watch the third period. It would be something special to see Edvinsson break through and turn the office on its ear. I really like his skating, and when he’s engaged you can see good things happening. It just has to be consistent enough to send a pro to the waiver wire or the press box. Defensive injuries seem fairly common so don’t short the reserves if you don’t have to. But ,in the end, let the better player win.
First Period:
At 4:45 Wings get a chance on the power play. The first shot wasn’t for 1:26 when the Larkin line finally got on. Debrincat cleaned the puck and Ned grabbed it. Just about 30 seconds later Debrincat goes for the far upper corner and Ned gloved it again. Huge difference in the 2 units as far as ability to move the puck and hold the zone. Full marks to Ned for solid saves.
With 11:47 left Detroit has the advantage on shots at 3-0.
With just 2:22 left in the first period Pittsburgh converted on a takeaway scoring on just their 4th shot on net. Former Wing Xavier Oullete got his first of the pore season against his former team. So far a fairly listless tilt but that seems to have energized both sides. 1-0 Pitt.
With just 57 seconds left Detroit heads to the box for a hooking minor. Unable to convert, Pens will have just over a minute on the man advantage to start the second.
End of the first: Score: 1-0 Pitt Shots: 6-6
Second Period:
Wings kill remaining penalty. At around 5:30, after a faceoff win by Compher in the lower right circle Sprong had a quick give and go with Petry and after repositioning Sprong scored from just inside the blueline with a nice snapshot. 1-1, shots 11 apiece.
If I’m being honest, I’m a bit concerned at how tight this is. Pitt isn’t going with their top crew and Ned looks like the guy he was a couple seasons ago. I know this isn’t Detroit’s top but what we don’t have on the ice compared to Pitt feels like the deficit falls on Detroit.
Pitt on the power play around 4:30 left, Larkin gets a matching minor about 1 minute in. Detroit kills it and Shine makes a nice drive with Fabbri, held off by Ned. Still 1-1 shots 16 apiece with 90 seconds left.
Thus ends the period: Score: 1-1 Shots: 16-16
Third Period:
At about the 10 minute mark, Wings went short handed. Then down to 5 on 3. Raymond broke out and missed on a 1 on 0. See a lot of puck bouncing/troubles with elevating in preseason.
Wings back to the power play with 7:33 left. Shots 21-20 DET so far. Still 1-1. It’s a goalie show combined with a lack of scoring prowess. Well, that didn’t last long. 2 seconds in Pitt to the box for faceoff infraction. 4 on 4 for almost 2 full minutes.
47 seconds into the 4 on 4 Edvinsson came flying into the O zone takes a pass from Compher at the blue line, carries to the net and gets the most out of that flex. I’d probably change sticks. 2-1 Detroit.
Back to 5 on 5 with 5 mins left.
Penguins pulled Ned with about 1:40 left, Wings held on but a very strong effort. All of a sudden this game came to life
Score: 2-1 DET Shots: