Red Wings Game Preview: Can Anthony Mantha Live Up To His Own Expectations?

The Red Wings’ Anthony Mantha bluntly stated in an article from The Detroit Free Press’ Helene St. James he needed to be better and has had only one good game in the first six. Talk about being your own worst critic. While he certainly didn’t have the best game on Sunday, it’s not like he was the only one. Been a tough week for the Wings and it’s only Tuesday.

Nothing like a two-game matchup with the defending Western Conference (well when it still existed in its old form) Champion. The Detroit Red Wings head to the Lone Star state after a humbling two games against the Chicago Blackhawks, where they were outscored 10-3. Now they take on one of the better teams of the division and well, let’s hope things go a little bit better.

3 Reasons For Hope

• Tyler Bertuzzi had two power play goals which means that there are some signs of progress there (2/5 on the PP). The second unit is still trying to find a groove since they’ve been disrupted by the revolving door of players in and out of the lineup. Getting another one tonight would go a long way for confidence.
• If not for Jonathan Bernier the other night, it’s a really bad blowout. As echoed in previous previews, the goaltending has been stellar and as seen in the two victories, has the ability to steal a game.
• BROME IS ON THE TOP LINE. Dylan Larkin is at a point-per-game clip. Bertuzzi is coming off two goals. I love the potential.

2 Reasons for Doom and Gloom

• With five still on Covid Protcol, the Red Wings will have to dig deep again and hope that a roster struggling to score can create more chances and find the back of the net. It’s been a lot of the same names on the scoresheet, so Detroit desperately needs to change that trend.
• Detroit looked lackluster in both games, a result of losing Filip Zadina and Robby Fabbri (though this happened earlier) to Covid Protocol. In Sunday’s game, it felt like the Red Wings were in a 2-0 before anyone could even get settled into their chair at home. A slow start against an excellent Dallas squad will put them in a similar hole with little hope of digging out.

One Final Thought

Jeff Blashill has faced his fair share of questions about lines, strategy, and in-game decisions. But tonight he’s showing again that he’s doing whatever he can to spark the team. I look at when he got the job and now in his sixth season, you can see how it has worn on him. And let’s not forget, he was dealt a tough hand after Pavel Datsyuk retired following the 2015-16 season.

We’ll see if the changes work. LGRW!