Game 4 Preview: Detroit Red Wings vs Columbus Blue Jackets

This feels familiar, doesn’t it? Barely 24 hours after a 3-2 loss to Columbus, the two teams are at it again tonight. Monday’s game had a little bit of everything: Bobby Ryan scoring goals. Dylan Larkin scuffling with Zach Werenski. The Red Wings giving up quick goals in succession. Hopefully tonight things will be different.

Three Reasons For Hope

Bobby Ryan. Three goals in two games and

he has the chance to be the first Red Wing in team

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history to pot a fourth in three games. I was thrilled, along with what felt like every Wings fan, when Ryan signed on here. But man, the guy just keeps endearing himself more to the fan base.

Development of the kids – Michael Rasmussen looked good in his first game and Filip Zadina appears to be on his way to the player we all hoped for when he was taken sixth overall in 2018. Filip Hronek is logging heavy minutes, and though they’re the “older” kids, Larkin, Anthony Mantha and Tyler Bertuzzi clicked a lot like last season in yesterday’s game. It’s going to take time but this is reassuring that they’re all taking the appropriate step forward.

Goaltending is steady: I know they’re 1-2 but it helps to have a steady presence in net. Both Jonathan Bernier and Thomas Greiss have been strong between the pipes, making saves when they had to and keeping the team in the game.

Two Reasons for Doom and Gloom 

• The power play is still stuck at zero goals. I thought they were due yesterday but clearly was wrong there (won’t be the first time, either). It’s more about converting on chances and at times, one or both of the units have struggled  to sustain pressure. Throwing the the puck on net is one thing, but quality scoring chances are another. A positive has been their ability to cycle the puck more–which was an issue last year. Here’s hoping they find the net tonight.
• Keeping Brome on the 4th line: Look I get it. You have to earn your time. But this is a rebuild. Brome injects energy on the ice and has been “hard on the puck,” a line that coach Jeff Blashill likes to use. Free him up. Let’s see what he can do on the third line or on special teams.

One Final Thought

I’m wondering if the fisticuffs from yesterday will carry over into a more physical game tonight. Fatigue is clearly a factor on back to back games so I would think such a contest would favor Columbus. Also: From MLive’s Ansar Khan:

As always, LGRW.