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”Twas the night before Red Wings poem for yesterday’s post. Just a bit of fun before the preseason puck drops tonight in Chicago.
The Blackhawks official site should have the stream which starts at 8:30pm EST (7:30 CST)
I’ve broken down some of what I think the preseason will look like. Since tomorrow is a home game and it’s early in the preseason, I expect tonight to have a Wings roster heavy with prospects and players looking for their spots. Larkin is likely out for a few games (per Blashill earlier this week) and no news on Vrana’s injury yet. These early games usually feature lower lines (3rd and 4th) of regulars along with some of the GR bound. Once the lineup is available I’ll post it.
What I’m looking for, as much as personnel, are signs of this year’s structure. The penalty kill and power play should start coming together. It looks as though they’re looking for straight zone entry as opposed to drop passes. More than anything, can the centers win those special teams draws and get setup. This team really needs strong faceoff work to have some more success on the special teams.
For the regular structure, what is the attack and defense? Can we do a better job against “loose” players in the neutral zone? Last night Panarin had a beautiful goal and perfect example of what I’m talking about. So many teams will allow a winger to drift into the neutral zone and look for the defense to clear. It will many times be someone fresh as it’s part of the change while the team goes back up ice. Matthews is also phenomenal at this. Even if the team ices the puck, the winger (or center in Matthews case) is so far ahead of the play that they can catch up. If they get the pass, it’s a 1-0 shootout style breakaway.
The best solution to this is having one defenseman play back and keep an eye on the neutral zone. Way back in the day, Weber and Suter would keep their skates outside of the blue line, even on the power play. It would stretch the defending team, and also give them the ability to turn quickly into the neutral zone. If you can see that all 5 opposing players are defending, you can play inside the blue line. Just small details like that.
I expect Chicago to have a strong lineup tonight for the home fans. It will be a challenge for Detroit’s road team, for sure. More than wins and losses at this point, I want to see opportunities created, strong back checking and clean line changes. Let me know what you’re looking for. It’s a fun night for sure, to see the Wings hit the ice.
Check out my Previous Blogs:
”Twas the night before Red Wings
Red and White game
Training Camp Day 3
Interviews from Seider, Nedeljkovic and Erne
Training Camp day 2
Edvinsson gets assist in Frolunda loss
Day 1 of training camp
Vrana should switch to Discover
Yzerman did a pre camp presser
Training Camp Preview
Bobby Ryan has signed a PTO Bobby Ryan has signed a PTO
My final thoughts on the Prospects Tournament
Another injury riddle tournament
St Louis had their way with Detroit
Pregame Detroit vs St Louis
Soderblom and Edvinsson combine for GWG
Detroit is looking for a 2nd straight win,
Detroit won its first game of the prospects tournament
Frolunda won 2-0
Detroit is streaming the prospects tournament
Word on Woodward talks prospect tournament
Givani Smith signs 2 yr 1 way deal at 750k
Up Close with Jared McIsaac
Griffins TV packages are available
Frolunda Drops opener, Oesterle on Wings TV
Word on Woodward with Robby Fabbri
Prospects Camp Roster and Denver Wings
Cholowski signs with Kraken
Simon Edvinsson is picking up points
10 Days Until Prospect Camp
The Atlantic Division is a bit of a gauntlet for a rebuilding team.
Filip Hronek’s 3 year extension
Who’s your newbie? 
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