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Brimming With Confidence

November 14, 2018, 7:44 PM ET [5 Comments]
Bob Duff
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Ten games into the season, the Detroit Red Wings were the worst team in the NHL. Eight games later they are the hottest team in the NHL.

After a 1-7-2 start to the campaign, the Wings have won seven of eight and are dead even in the NHL standings at 8-8-2.

“That’s a hell of a streak,” said Arizona Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet, whose team was hammered 6-1 by the Wings on Tuesday. “They’re right back in it. They’re a game behind a bunch of good hockey teams. They’re believing in what they are doing and working hard.”

So what’s been different? Other than the outcomes, the Wings insist not much.

“That start, it was a bit crazy,” Wings forward Andreas Athanasiou said. “It was so unfortunate. We had so many chances that could have changed the whole game, getting two-goal leads. It was some unfortunate bounces and unlucky . . . it was crazy.

“But it was the way it was and our record, to work it back and make it as good as we can, I think we’re doing a good job of it now. We’ve just got to keep it going.”

One element that most certainly must be pointed to as to why Detroit is suddenly a front runner was the upgrade on the team’s back end. The Wings began the season with four rookie rearguards. As the team’s veteran defensemen returned from injury, just Dennis Cholowski remains from the rookie brigade and currently Jonathan Ericsson is the only veteran defender on the injured list.

“I would say certainly when some of the caliber of the D that are back in our lineup, those are real D in the league,” Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. “That helps you. I think anytime you have your full, the very best group available to you, you’ve got the best chance to be a better team.

“These are real NHL defensemen that we got back and they’re good players. Are they perfect? No chance. Are they real good players? Yes.”

You can make the argument that some of this success is smoke and mirrors. Detroit won five of these seven games against teams that missed the playoffs last season, and the other two triumphs were achieved at the expense of teams that exited the postseason in the first round. But a win is a win regardless.

“Obviously, it was a hard start to the season,” Detroit forward Anthony Mantha said. “We were able to battle back and it’s not over. We need to keep this thing going. The atmosphere in the room is pretty good right now. Let’s ride the wave and keep pushing forward.”

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