Detroit Red Wings: Welcome back Michael Rasmussen and Dylan Larkin
By Bob Heyrman
Although the Detroit Red Wings fell a goal short to the Vegas Golden Knights tonight, they got a valiant effort from both Michael Rasmussen and Dylan Larkin.
The Vegas Golden Knights edged the Detroit Red Wings with a final score of 4-3 but it was an entertaining game, and it was nice to see Michael Rasmussen back in the lineup. After spending three games with the Grand Rapids Griffins on a conditioning stint where he scored a pair of goals, Rasmussen returns to the lineup in a big way.
He pulled the string on Vegas netminder Marc-Andre Fleury. It was on a Detroit Red Wings power-play in the third period. The took the puck and sort of showed it to Fleury on the forehand before drawing it back and sliding it past the sprawling goaltender. The play came right in what we can now say is Rasmussen’s office. It sure looks like he will score a high percentage of his goals right there a foot or two in front of the net.
He nearly had a second goal when he redirected a shot from the half wall, but he wasn’t able to get everything on the redirect as he would have liked. MAF made an acrobatic save on the play. Even later in his career Fleury still has the ability to make some of the nicest looking acrobatic saves he used to make in his younger days.
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Welcome back, Dylan Larkin. After missing the 2-0 Detroit Red Wings victory in Ottawa Larkin returned with another solid performance tonight. Jeff Blashill limited his workload just a little bit tonight. Most of the time Larkin plays well into the ’20s especially when the Wings are trailing. Tonight Blashill kept him at 20:10, and he remained as effective as ever.
Larkin recorded a pair of helpers. His first came on the opening goal of the game recorded by Gustav Nyquist. Nyquist found a loose puck under Fleury and buried it into the gaping net. Fleury made the initial save, but the puck fell down right under him in a spot where Nyquist could squeak it out and get the Wings on the board. Give credit to the official on this play for not having a quick whistle and being in the correct position to allow the play to continue.
His second helper came on the final goal of the game. It was too little too late for the Wings. Thomas Vanek netted a goal to get the Wings within one but under 3 seconds were all that remained on the clock. Larkin and Rasmussen both assisted on the tally. Something to take note of, Michael Rasmussen along with recording two points had 7 shots on goal tonight.
The Wings spoiled a terrific first period with a lousy second frame. The second period would be the difference in the game like it has been all too often for the Detroit Red Wings. The Wings yielded three goals in the second period after they totally dominated the first period outshooting the Knights 14-7.
Jonathan Marchessault scored a pair for the Knights. Both goals Howard had no chance on but struggled with his rebound control on both initial shots. Both rebounds landed on Jonathan’s stick, and he buried them both.
Another goal scored by Willaim Karlsson was at the conclusion of a Red Wings power-play. Mike Green was left to defend a two on one, and he wasn’t exactly prepared to do so as Paul Stastny vacated the penalty box.
Green drifted over to Karlsson at the time Stastny returned to the ice and had to make up a bunch of ground being the last line of defense other than Howard. Green never got back into a good position, and the pair of knights forwards played tick-tack-toe leaving Howard helpless.
The Detroit Red Wings were 1 for 4 on the PP, but only 1-2 on the PK. After outshooting the Knights on the night 39-32, the second period was the difference between winning and losing tonight.
Next. Red Wings showing signs the rebuild is close to being completed. dark
Jeff Blashill needs to figure out why this team is often so bad in the second frame but finds a way to create energy and scoring chances in the third period. By that time, like tonight it is a bit too late. The Detroit Red Wings are back at it at 1:00 PM Saturday afternoon in Buffalo.