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Summary - Even though Detroit was ahead on the shot clock throughout the game, Pittsburgh looked more ready to go in this one. It’s a preseason game, and the wins/losses aren’t really what you look at (though a win is always welcome). It was good to see movement, opportunities and goals on the power play. The defense made some questionable plays, and neither goalie looked ready to go.
Larkin had some solid takeaways and some nice give and go with Debrincat. It’s clear that “the cat” is going to be a walking target. He came very close to receiving a nasty knee on knee hit.
Perron is a good net front presence, Raymond is mixing it up more. He put on 12 pounds of muscle, not easy to do. Seider’s goal came off of a nice feed by Gostisbehere. Nice to see some sustained pressure.
Copp really seems to be struggling to find his footing. Not sure if he’s banged up, but just seems to be skating uphill. Good to see Rasmussen back on the ice after a painful and slow healing injury. Very sad news for Chiarot as his dad passed away and is tending to that situation. It’s a nightmare and I wish him all the best.
The picture of what this team will look like will come into focus over the next couple of weeks.
First Period:
Penguins score on just their second shot as Seider gave chase and was behind the net with Walman just not able to get to the open spot in front of the net. 1-0 Pitt with just over 13:00 left in the period. Detroit having some hiccups as they look for their groove. The Larkin/Raymond/Debrincat line may be trying too hard to find their game instead of settling in. Raymond being physical, good to see.
Just past the halfway point Detroit outshooting Pitt 9-2 but down 1-0. Ned very comfortable against his former mates
Detroit gets their first look at the power play at 12:57. Starting with 2nd unit as Larkin’s line was a on when penalty was called. Good movement with Raymond and Walman. Copp came very close with 14 seconds left but Ned was ready. Only 3 shots on that advantage and no score.
Danielson goal
With just 2:37 left Danielson got his first (preseason) as a Wing after dogged work by Hirose. 1-1. Hirose has been skating hard throughout the first. Shots 14-4 DET. Detroit looked like a different team for the last 2 minutes after Danielson broke through. This group has a little bit of everything: new draftees, Grand Rapids bound players, new players and veterans. There seems to be a bit of a disconnect but getting better.
Final of First:
Score 1-1
Shots 15-4
Second Period:
At 1:58 Danielson made his way to the penalty box for holding. Power play only lasted 38 seconds as Seider caught a slew foot. 4 on 4 for 1:22. Detroit gets an abbreviated power play. Reimer had to stop a breakaway out of the penalty box as the advantage came to an end.
Wings back on the power play as Ned left his net wide open and Danielson tried to bank off a defenseman. Berggren was tripped. First unit starting on this one. With 1:16 left Debrincat was tripped and almost hit knee on knee. 2 man advantage.
Larkin roofs one from a tough angle
With 48 seconds left Larkin roofed a beauty on the power play as Debrincat pass the goal through the crease, off of Perron’s stick. Those 2 get the assists. Detroit with 1:30 of power play still. 2-1 DET. No score on the remaining advantage. Shots now 20-7 DET with 11:15 left.
Seider Knuckle puck
Pens capitalize on a turnover by Berggren and tie it up 2-2 with 9:46 left in the period. Detroit switches goalies (planned). Just a few seconds later with 9:20 left Pitt to the box. Seider scored after a nice pass by Gostisbehere with a knuckle puck from the blue line as Perron played the screen well. 3-2 Detroit.
With 7:47 left Detroit heads to the penalty box, hooking on Walman. With 6:52 Poulin scored for Pitt. 3-3. Way too easy to tie it up as Bednar and Petry didn’t cover the area of play.
End of 2nd:
Score: 3-3
Shots: 25-17 DET
Third Period
At just 3:01 Detroit was back on the power play. Debrincat took another hit to the legs earlier, that’s a concern in terms of keeping him healthy.
Rasmussen game winner
30 seconds left on advantage the puck is cleared and the 2nd unit comes on. Not much happening. Advantage ends, but at 6:13 Rasmussen rips a wrister from the lower right faceoff circle, deflects downward off a defender’s stick and wing in 5 hole on Ned. 4-3 DET. Shots 29-16 DET
With under 2 minutes left Pitt pulled their goalie. With 1:19 left Berggren went for the empty net and iced the puck. Luckily Pitt called a time out. Detroit gets hemmed in and clears with 31 seconds left. Pitt gets back in 2 more times and Detroit makes clears on both.
Final:
Score: 4-3 Detroit
Shots: 33-22 Detroit
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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