Detroit Red Wings: Spreading some Holiday Cheer
By Bob Heyrman
The Detroit Red Wings took a 15-17-6 overall record into the mandatory NHL holiday break. A tick under .500 yet much better than many could have guessed after a 0-7-2 start to the season.
Although the Detroit Red Wings have played as the definition of Jekyll and Hyde, throughout the season, they’ve managed to hold their own against some quality opponents. I mean you really don’t know what team is going to show up each and every night for the Wings.
Will it be the team that struggles to obtain 20 shots on goal? Will it be the team who is one and done in the offensive zone? Will it be the club who is continuously chasing in their own zone failing to clear the puck out?
Perhaps it will be the unit that comes out flying and banging the body with a terrific heavy forecheck down low, working the puck along the wall. Maybe the high flying offense led by the speed of Dylan Larkin and Andreas Athanasiou. It could be the scrappy Wings who are looking to exchange blows to create momentum.
One thing has been consistent though, and that is the play of their goaltenders. Both netminders, for the most part, have seen an immense amount of pressure on a nightly basis and minus a game here or there they’ve both stood tall.
Despite a plethora of injuries, the Detroit Red Wings have struggled at times yet have survived by keeping their heads above water. Many impact players have been missing through the first half of the season. The likes of Green, Mantha, AA, Helm, Kronwall have all missed time.
Sometimes folks struggle to find some positives with a rebuilding team, in this article we will look at who’s made a positive impact for the Detroit Red Wings up to the holiday break. Although Christmas is over, we want to spread some holiday cheer prior to the start of 2019.
Jimmy Howard has been terrific this season posting a 10-8-4 record. The record doesn’t tell the entire story. He has a 2.66GAA, and a .922% save percentage. The 35-year-old netminder is having an outstanding season.
He is in the final year of his deal, and Ken Holland has mentioned it will take a first-round pick to acquire Howie. There are a lot of teams looking for a goaltender and Howie can bring some stability to a good team as a rental.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Detroit Red Wings entertain bringing Jimmy Howard back in the offseason on a short-term deal as the franchise doesn’t quite have another younger goaltender NHL ready.