Detroit Red Wings: Svechnikov buries the winner in preseason game two

The Detroit Red Wings completed their second preseason game last night.  A game that had many preseason type moments also had bright flashes of young talent.

Libor Sulak impressed last evening for the Detroit Red Wings.  At 6’2 and around 200 pounds, Sulak demonstrated his skating and decision-making ability.  On more than one occasion Sulak found himself jumping up into the play, trying to create some offense from the back-end.  The Wings need to find ways to create offense, an area they have struggled mightily over the last couple of seasons.

Sulak head-manned a rush that started in his own end,  late in the second period.  Libor spun in the offensive zone near the right-wing circle and feathered a pass through the crease looking for the forward crashing the net.  The puck floated to the corner as the Detroit winger couldn’t connect.

Filip Hronek had a so, so evening.  The Blackhawks had a 2 on 1, and Hronek left his feet trying to break up a pass.  It didn’t work, and Chicago scored.  Detroit gave up a few odd-man rushes.  Chicago netted two goals in the second period both on odd-man rushes.  Once Filip Zadina lost an edge near the offensive circle that led to a Chicago 3 on 2. The other Joe Hicketts lost the puck pinching in that led to a 2 on 1 for the Hawks.

Filip Zadina seemed like he had the jitters early on.  Jonathan Toews had a nifty strip of the puck from Filip Zadina.  Zadina tried to make a play near the Wings bench along the boards, Toews poked it away.  Once Zadina lifted his head Toews was three strides away with the puck, which left Zadina flabbergasted.  Zadina also had that give away that led to a goal we previously mentioned.

Thomas Vanek looked good throughout the game.  It seems Vanek and Athanasiou have created some definite chemistry of late.  The two played together briefly two seasons ago with the Wings.  They each recorded a goal.

Athanasiou was buzzing around all evening using his tremendous speed to create chances.  It seemed Andreas was working hard backchecking.  Perhaps trying to live up to his end of the deal with coach Jeff Blashill.  Athanasiou wants to play more minutes, Blashill says show me by being reliable down the middle.

Darren Helm played with Frans Nielsen and Gustav Nyquist.  I expect Helm to be with Abdelkader and Glendening to start the season.  Michael Rasmussen seems like he would be a nice fit with the two veteran forwards.  Nielsen has mentioned recently he enjoys playing with Helm because of his work ethic and reliability in the defensive zone.  Jeff Blashill may consider that as the season rolls on.

Evgeny Svechnikov was quiet until late in the third period.  Svechnikov scored the winner with around five minutes remaining in the game.  Sulak held the puck in on the half wall and got the puck to Smith.  Givani Smith found Svechnikov wide open in the slot who buried a beautiful one-timer.

Jonathan Bernier made 11 saves on 13 shots.  Patrik Rybar stopped all 10 shots he faced.

The Chicago Blackhawks received goals from Patrick Kane and MacKenzie Entwistle.

The Detroit Red Wings goals came from Thomas Vanek, Andreas Athanasiou, Evgeny Svechnikov and Gustav Nyquist (EN).  Nyquist finished the night with 1 goal and 2 assists.  Sulak played 19:48 and added 2 assists.  Filip Zadina didn’t record a point and was a minus 1.