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Working my way back to you - Wings lose 3-2 after costly 2nd period |
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There were some good looks as Detroit outshot Pitt 38 to 24. DeSmith was outstanding. A glaringly bad 2nd period seemed to seal Detroit’s fate as Pitt scored twice, including the eventual winning tally.
The game flow felt a bit like this: good opening period with solid stops by DeSmith and just over 6 mins before Pitt got their first shot on net. After Pitt scored the first, Detroit seemed rattled. That carried into the second period and Husso looked like he was fighting the puck. The goalie change in the third helped calm things down as Olkinuora stopped all 6 shots he faced and Detroit was much more puck hungry.
A couple of thoughts. Seider is clearly a very good defender at a young age. Edvinsson made some nice plays as well. There are so many players that need to get to know each other plus a brand new coach but glimpses of a much higher tempo game were evident. It’s just preseason, but several zone entries looked very close to offside, not sure if that’s just camera positioning or not.
I’ll be honest, Perron used to be (for me) a lot like Marchand. He can score, but he can get out of hand sometimes too (thankfully he doesn’t like to taste his opposition). Pius Suter had a glorious chance, Perron hit a post, and outshooting the opposition 39 to 24 is always a good thing. The PK was not good. Gave up 2 goals on 2 power plays. Pittsburgh is a team that can win games in so many different ways. Crosby/Malkin/Letang have apparently set a record by playing together so long. You can see it when those 3 are on the ice.
My favorite period was the third. Good pace, good decision making, and for the first time in a while the passes to the defense don’t have to be perfect. Seider has really good reach, Hronek can wrangle as well. Just a couple seasons ago it seemed like the blue line couldn’t keep the puck in the zone.
I have high hopes for this team going into the future. They may even move into a bubble position. Yzerman has aggressively upgraded and made changes. I feel like Edvinsson would do well with some time in GR. I may be wrong, but the speed and physicality is very different at this level. Berggren had a good year in GR last year but I think both he and Veleno are waiver exempt and that may lead to some time on the west side of the state. With injuries, I still think both will get a decent amount of time in a red sweater. Zadina looks frustrated. That’s a game killer. I’m hoping he gets into better head space and not sure who the best mentor would be for that.
There are, I’m sure, many questions and well wishes (or wall kicking) as you see my first entry since this past February. Long story short, I have been able to develop some “work arounds” to be able to watch games. I may just be a bit less long winded (probably a plus).
Last year, we did some predictions. The “top line” scored 84 goals (I’d guessed 70). Vrana scored .5 gpg after missing the start of the season due to surgery. Seider won rookie of the year, Raymond broke 20. Over in Europe, Soderblom just stepped up his game. Edvinsson is in North America so far. It feels like Zadina, Veleno and Berggren are going to have to put a stamp on their position. Veleno is fast and strong, just needs to play 200 ft. If I counted correctly, only 5 players who were on the roster at the end of the 18/19 season remain with the team.
I think there was good back and forth on when a coaching change would happen. It’s clear that expectations and systematic decisions have been made and raised. I give Blashill credit for the work he put in while in the midst of a massive transition. He’s going to enjoy more vitamin D down in Tampa, but I would not go golfing. Once you’ve seen an alligator on a golf course it kills it for you. My dad worked construction in the Florida Keys and an alligator ripped one of his front tires off. I declined the next invitation to visit.
First Period Red Wing Goals:
No Wings goals first period
Second Period Red Wing Goals:
No Wings goals second period
Third Period Red Wing Goals:
Seider (2) and Berggren (2) picked up an assist as Kubalik scored his 3rd of the preseason off a kick save rebound.
Larkin scored his second of the preseason, a nice far side as the puck rolled off of a Pittsburgh stick. Assists by Bertuzzi (1) and Zadina (2).
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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