Jeremy Laura: Potent Leaf offense, superior goaltending and solid defense stifle Wings

3 goals on the first 6 shots for Husso, but 2 of them you could not fault him on. The Marner goal he should have had. I would bet Ned gets the next start against Buffalo.
Detroit had lots of shots, Murray did very well. Gotta get some finish on those shots, Murray had it easy on most of them with his good positioning.
I hate Toronto!

Given the fact that Husso had a bit of an off night, I thought the boys in the Red and White played a fair game. Also consider that we are missing Vrana and Bertuzzi, looks like he’s lost out there. The wrist must still be hurting or he misses Larkin. He seems a step behind, misses passes and out of position, what ever it is it’s costing him money in a contract year.
We need for Bert to contribute more to either get a few more W’s or some picks or prospects right now he’s not helping. Not sure why he is on the power play.
This might be a tough month for the home team.
We will need a good response against the Sabres.

the reverse retros for an original six game? looked like the Toronto maple leafs vs some expansion team out there...

the reverse retros for an original six game? looked like the Toronto maple leafs vs some expansion team out there...
- drrtydan

I like the R2 jerseys, but that’s a fair point. The throwback for an O6 matchup are fun sometimes, but it would have been better to save those. At least they don’t glow in the dark. Some semblance of history preserved

Given the fact that Husso had a bit of an off night, I thought the boys in the Red and White played a fair game. Also consider that we are missing Vrana and Bertuzzi, looks like he’s lost out there. The wrist must still be hurting or he misses Larkin. He seems a step behind, misses passes and out of position, what ever it is it’s costing him money in a contract year.
We need for Bert to contribute more to either get a few more W’s or some picks or prospects right now he’s not helping. Not sure why he is on the power play.
This might be a tough month for the home team.
We will need a good response against the Sabres.
- Goalie Dad

I thought the team started well, then had a minor meltdown (those minutes where the goalie has been bailing them out) and then the third had a good pace. Bert is not himself. I keep reminding myself that Copp took a minute before he started contributing and looking like himself. The Vrana situation, I have no idea. Depending on what the issue is, it could be a rocky re-entry. He seems to score at an insane pace when he comes back from injury, but that’s not what this is. The mental strain of the season has caused many players to have to step back. To be at that level, you have to give up a lot of the “human experience” and miss out on family time and all the things a lot of us take for granted. I dont know if that is an issue, but was told that post career just over 2/3 of players get a divorce soon after retirement. There are a lot of painful “re entry” issues for some players who’ve had a hockey routine from age 4 to 6 until their 30s. All of a sudden, it just disappears. Very painful to see what some go through

I was actually impressed with the Red Wings last night. Thought the team looked big and fast.
Unfortunately Husso had an off night, he should have stopped the Marner goal and the Sandin goal. Nobody stops the first 2 goals.
I think you will be in the hunt for the playoffs. Hope so. I always want the original 6 teams to do well ( except Montreal)

I don't know if this is a Detroit blog or a leaf blog because it complimented the leafs so much. Which I'm not complaining or being rude, its just not normally seen.

Red wings gave a good effort. Made sure the leafs had to earn their 2 points.

The game was already 4 to 1 when I was able to turn it on. I was not impressed with the Leafs defense in the third, which is likely the result of too many injuries. I just don’t see their 4 forwards carrying this team all the way. The depth on other teams will eventually win the series. Leafs are a fun team to watch though with all that skill.

I was actually impressed with the Red Wings last night. Thought the team looked big and fast.
Unfortunately Husso had an off night, he should have stopped the Marner goal and the Sandin goal. Nobody stops the first 2 goals.
I think you will be in the hunt for the playoffs. Hope so. I always want the original 6 teams to do well ( except Montreal)
- Rang

This young Wings team is still learning to play a full, consistent 60 minutes.. and sometimes seem to have a short meltdown when things don't go their way (i.e. right after the Leaf's first goal). Husso has been bailing them out on a regular basis when it's been needed... but not this game. I think on one of his regular nights he'd probably stop those last two goals like you said. Wings special teams still need to get better to make the playoffs... so we'll see how that goes.

I don't know if this is a Detroit blog or a leaf blog because it complimented the leafs so much. Which I'm not complaining or being rude, its just not normally seen.

Red wings gave a good effort. Made sure the leafs had to earn their 2 points.
- Aaron_85

This is definitely a Wings blog. What I try to do is balance my passion for the team with what I’m seeing in the whole game. In the past, I’ve let my “fandom” dictate some poor decision making as far as the post went. I agree that Detroit made Toronto work for a good chunk of the game. But, as you can kind of see in the past several posts, Detroit has these stints where they just seem to be a bit lost and the goalie has to bail them out. Unfortunately, Husso couldn’t do that. The third was the best “version” of the Detroit team. They, as a group, are young with a brand new system and are finding out what the Atlantic division is going to bring. While every team, for sound bite sake, will say they expect to be in the post season, 4 teams in this division know that jobs are at stake if expectations aren’t met. Detroit will improve and other teams will fall off. It’s just a cycle that started very late (rebuild wise). Lots to like already, but I tried to give credit where due to Toronto’s game and what I’ve seen compared to past seasons

This is definitely a Wings blog. What I try to do is balance my passion for the team with what I’m seeing in the whole game. In the past, I’ve let my “fandom” dictate some poor decision making as far as the post went. I agree that Detroit made Toronto work for a good chunk of the game. But, as you can kind of see in the past several posts, Detroit has these stints where they just seem to be a bit lost and the goalie has to bail them out. Unfortunately, Husso couldn’t do that. The third was the best “version” of the Detroit team. They, as a group, are young with a brand new system and are finding out what the Atlantic division is going to bring. While every team, for sound bite sake, will say they expect to be in the post season, 4 teams in this division know that jobs are at stake if expectations aren’t met. Detroit will improve and other teams will fall off. It’s just a cycle that started very late (rebuild wise). Lots to like already, but I tried to give credit where due to Toronto’s game and what I’ve seen compared to past seasons
- Jeremy Laura

Yeah I mean Detroit is still building a new team and culture in it. I think it's all good progress for them right now. Could definitely be in a wild card spot this year or at least fight for one which would be fun

I don't think the Wings played that well tbh. They outshot the Leafs and were physical (especially early on in the 1st) but they lost some of their energy right after they didn't get a shot on that first PP and the Leafs came right back and tied the game.

A lot of shots were way too easy to stop for any half decent goalie with no traffic in front. Baffled me on another PP when Sundqvist was actually screening the goalie but then moves to the side to try and deflect the shot (he whiffed) letting Murray make an easy save. Some of the Wings players need to look at video of Holmstrom on how to actually screen a goalie...better yet bring Homer in and let him teach them how to do it and deflect shots/bang in rebounds.

A lot of passes were too far ahead, behind or in the skates in that game from the Wings players.

Even though Copp has gotten a bit better, i still think the Wings need a better skilled 2nd line center to get more consistent offense from the 2nd line. That would move Copp to the 3rd line where i think he is better suited for and Ras to the 4th line where i think he belongs (personally i would trade him in a package for that 2nd line center and keep Veleno as the 4th line center for now. That's just me though.

Finally have a chance to comment. Last night seemed to be a night better suited for Cybil (you youngins can look it up on IMDB 😑). I saw several versions of the Wings. The flashes of brilliance were....brilliant. the flashes of bad were pretty bad.

Husso's entitled to a night off, but not knowing what version Cybil....I mean Ned....we'd see meant Husso's hot hand was played. Hind-sight doesn't win games, though. Dance with the one who brought ya! Would still like to see Hellberg gets some game-time....

Bert's having a really crappy season. Not sure I could fault him, he only had 2 games in before he broke his hand. But when you combine Copp's lack of production with Bert not hitting his stride, and we end up with overall scoring issues. Am hoping they start clicking soon. Realistically, Copp has no excuse. I wasn't excited about his signing, and still feel that money could've been spent somewhere else. Bert's gotta click soon or I'd imagine his contract megotiations will not be in his favor...

I was impressed with the 3d period. The kids played a very hard-nosed game. Ned looked good as well, all things being equal. One this team gels, I'd offer they're gonna break some hearts on the opposition's side. Biased for sure, but this team's got a ton of talent & potential. Bear-grin needs to stay and Tickle-The-Twine Elmer needs to be in GR.

Lordy Gordy, how I love this team!!!!

Red Wings head coach = Uncle Fester with a crooked nose

Husso had a bad game but he has been very good. Overall wings looked good. Now tonight Ned looks awful and is truly an awful goalie he looks nervous on basically every shot. He gives the red wings no chance no matter how they play. They must ride Husso every game until they can find another nhl calibre goalie. They should give Hellberg a shot as the backup