|
Detroit plays their best of the year, survive TBs 30 shots in 3rd |
|
|
|
|
|
Follow me on Twitter
Game Summary:
For this whole season, I’ve wanted to see a 60 minute effort from Detroit. Tonight was the most complete effort we’ve seen. Tampa piled on shots to the tune of 30 to 7, but it wasn’t a lackluster drop off in play by Detroit, it was the skill of a team that has 2 recent cups and a ton of swagger (earned).
There are games where the past haunts you in preparation. Vasilevsky had only lost once to Detroit in 13 contests. Tonight, he made some incredible saves. There is a big difference this season in what Detroit can do. Teams have to prepare for more than just 2 or 3 players. For sure when Larkin/Raymond/Perron were on the ice the coverage was much tighter and Rasmussen, Berggren, and Erne played big parts in the win. I like seeing Berggren and Veleno on a line together. They are doing their level best to avoid a ticket back to Grand Rapids. Rasmussen has changed his game and his puck retrieval and physicality are coming together nicely.
Another thing that really stood out to me was Perron’s attitude in the game. Even his empty net goal was scored with a player on his back. He was getting chopped at and punched in scrums and kept skating away throughout the game. There’s a different maturity level there, and it’s what you want guys like Raymond to see. You have to stick up for yourself and your team, but sometimes you have to walk away. It’s a fine line any more.
The first two periods saw Detroit nullify sustained pressure from the Lightning squad. This is still a team that has to outwork opponents. Husso saw a ton of rubber in the third, but Wings players were in and around every play. This was probably the most exciting game I’ve seen in a long time.
I’d said in my last post that a split in the Florida trip would be a positive step forward. I did not expect to see tonight’s effort. This team seems to be more cohesive on the road right now. There are a lot of reasons that can be the case. You’re life is the team when you’re on the road. For young players especially that can be where they learn the game.
Hronek. Another road point has his away streak at 11 games, beating the previous 10 held by Fedorov. He just looks like a different player. Yzerman has built this team in chunks and will continue to do so. Not long ago, that third period would have buried this team. I didn’t see any “deflation”. They kept playing. The hope is that this will be a watermark for effort.
First Period Detroit Goals:
No goals in the first
Shots:12-11 Detroit
Score: 0-0
Second Period Detroit Goals:
At 1:54 of the second, Rasmussen took a great pass from Kubalik and went 5 hole on Vasilevsky. Very impressive play. Hronek now with points in every single road game got the 2nd assist. (Passed former record road streak of 10 set by Fedorov. Not bad company)
End of 2nd:
Shots on goal: 19-16 Detroit
Score: 1-0 Detroit
Third Period Detroit Goals:
At 5:59, Berggren made a fantastic tip off of an absolute rip from the blue line by Maata. Veleno with the secondary. These two really want to stay on this side of the state.
At 14:52 Stamkos broke through as TB had pulled the goalie and had possession on a 6 on 5.
At 16:22 it looked like a repeat of history. However, Erne got ahold of the puck and sent it nearly 190 ft to regain the 2 goal lead.
At 17:34 TB got back within one via work in tight by Point. 26 shots so far by TB in the third.
With 1:03 left Detroit iced the puck. They won the resulting faceoff but iced it again with 54 seconds left.
With just 24 seconds left, Perron marched down the ice and restored the 2 goal lead.
3rd Period:
Shots: 46-26 Tampa
Score: 4-2 Detroit
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»