Red Wings: Smith, Rasmussen, and Hirose Need To Stay In the Lineup

The Detroit Red Wings’ lone goal yesterday happened with Givani Smith and Taro Hirose both on the ice. Off a dump in by Christian Djoos, Smith flew past two Stars, fished the puck out of the endboards, and sent it around to a waiting Hirose by the Stars net. Hirose centered a pass, which ended up banking off a skate, to a waiting Vladisav Namestnikov, who backhanded the shot in. This goal not only generated the secondary scoring the Red Wings so desperately need, but it revealed a presence in the lineup that showed how such scoring chances could be accomplished.

That’s right, the Red Wings Twitter account is highlighting the efforts of both Smith and Hirose. Which brings up the second point: Why in God’s name are they not getting more time on the ice? We can add Michael Rasmussen to this list too, because I felt the line of Hirose-Rasmussen-Smith was brilliant. Speed, and skill on that bottom line and one that will only get better.  Late in the game where the Red Wings couldn’t convert on a power play, Rasmussen had a great shift that resulted in a key scoring chance.

After winning the faceoff, he skated to his net front position, and used his frame to screen while also drawing attention, freeing up Hirose to get a quality shot on net (as well as cycling the puck prior to this). Rasmussen then had a couple whacks at the puck, and though they didn’t score on it, it’s something to look at as growth for a guy who was pushed around in that same spot a couple years ago.

Much was said in the postgame about playing a “sound defensive structure” of play that includes secondary scoring. But it’s imperative to give ice time to those guys generating offense so they can get those scoring chances. After all, you’re not going to score any goals if you have players out there that aren’t generating chances, or shots on net. Take a look at the box score to note that both Frans Nielsen and Valtteri Filppula had a lot more ice time than the aforementioned Hirose and Smith–and no shots to show for it. Draw your own conclusions on scoring chances.

If there was any reason to keep Hirose, Rasmussen, and Smith in the lineup, last night provided such evidence. They’re not going to get better–and it won’t help the team–if they’re watching from a box.