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Larkin gets 2 against Buffalo
Summary: The past several (let’s be honest, more than a decade) years have been more about improvement than wins or losses. This year, the Wings are seeing bumps in all areas. While the “Guelph Line” was reunited (in what I can only guess is a way to get Veleno going) and it worked, it smacks a bit of irritation.
My theory on hockey (and pro sports) is simple. You play your way to the next level. If you’re getting 5 minutes a night playing better than they guy getting 7 minutes, you get their job. And so on and so on. Now, if the Guelph line really clicks and Vrana comes back to play with Larkin and Raymond, that may be a good fit. Vrana has speed, but he’s not going to play the corners like Bertuzzi. Raymond needs to add about 20 lbs to be able to take those bumps. Veleno only played about 10 minutes, so it’s not likely the changes are coming. Like Zadina, Veleno is going to need to find another way to play if the goals aren’t coming.
But, back to the upside. Bertuzzi and Larkin continue to battle toward 20 with 19 goals apiece. Raymond still has 11, so that line has combined for 49 goals at about the halfway point. Add 55 assists and now you’re looking at 104 points in 41 games. That is way past where I predicted they’d be at the halfway point. Having a top line on track for 200 points is not something I was expecting or ready for.
They’re outside the playoff race and Boston has 4 games in hand (ahead by 6 points). The post season push is going to become more and more important, and improving the left side defense along with the depth middle position will certainly help there.
Are any of the rest of you surprised by what Larkin and Bertuzzi are putting together? The top line has me continually in a state of awe. They really want to push the team to be something special.
Though Detroit ended up on the “wrong” end of some good back and forth, it’s still fun to watch the kids play.
First Period Red Wings goals:
The Guelph squad all hit the scoreboard tonight. For the first tally Fabbri showed some fantastic patience after a nice pass from Bertuzzi. Fabbri scored his 11th:
Second Period Red Wings goals:
Bertuzzi grabbed another primary assist with a drop pass that Suter sent flying. The play was so strange looking, but well executed. Bertuzzi is a bit of an enigma. Not always the best skater, but he can make plays. Suter grabs his 9th of the season:
Larkin decided to get the “one man show” going as he skated from just inside his own blue line across to the far side, all the way in to the Dallas goal and lifted a puck over the goalie’s shoulder. The more the captain plays, the more he creates. I’m not a faint of the “bingo balls”, but the Guelph line certainly benefitted and Larkin made his presence known solo (though Raymon was close by in case of any rebounds).
Third Period Red Wings goals:
Part of me feels bad for Raymond and Seider. Both are the most exciting rookies we’ve seen since Larkin made the squad as a 19 year old. On their own, either would be the talk of the town as Detroit’s rookie of the year. Instead, they continue to find ways to impact the games together. While Bertuzzi got his 19th goal of the season and 3rd point of the night, Raymond got his 22nd assist and Seider got his 23rd. Even though the goal was a pass in off a defensemen, the kids are moving the puck so well and confidently. It will be a good battle down the stretch to see who is the “stand out” rookie.
Some of my previous posts:
Larkin gets 2 against Buffalo
Bertuzzi’s 3 point night
Lidstrom’s role becomes official
Catching up
Larkin’s role and Larkin’s roll 
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