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Detroit Red Wings Week in Review: On Ten and Two

ByNate Brown|
Feb 25, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Sam Gagner (89) celebrates with center Dylan Larkin (71) and right wing Bobby Ryan (54) after scoring a goal against Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) during the second period at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Sam Gagner (89) celebrates with center Dylan Larkin (71) and right wing Bobby Ryan (54) after scoring a goal against Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) during the second period at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

When Detroit Red Wings fans saw that Frans Nielsen had wriggled out of the taxi squad, the collective groan was deafening.

I’ll be happy to admit that Jeff Blashill was right. After finally playing Evgeny Svechnikov, the Red Wings scored five goals for the second consecutive game, and in just as many games, skated away with a victory. Nielsen even potted his first goal of the season, thanks to an outstanding individual play by Svechnikov. Nothing better than a victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, either.


Five goals each in consecutive winning efforts after struggling to put up ten in the previous six straight games. A power play goal. Secondary scoring. Jonathan Bernier being the proverbial brick wall.

That nudge to the next post rebuild but pre-contention step might be gradually happening. Let’s not get crazy here, but admit it–it was fun watching this game. Seeing Svechnikov get that goal, and then drive the play that netted Nielsen his first. After writing about keeping this rebuild in perspective, Detroit has responded with two of their best efforts of the season.

Maybe that’s what it’s all about: perspective. Which of course, leads to other questions which can be examined in about another week. For now, a couple wins in a row seems like a good place to start.

Larkin sits for the weekend

Dylan Larkin was listed as day-to-day and out for the weekend series with the Blackhawks. Though it looked like a shaky development, the Red Wings sustained the Blackhawks early blitz in the game and then settled in, thanks to a goal by Bobby Ryan. From there, the Wings carried the

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play and snapped a four game skid against Chicago this season.

Larkin being out will be something to keep an eye on, but Detroit has a five day break following their game against Carolina on Thursday. It will be ample time for him to get some additional rest in.

Detroit Red Wings Trade Chatter

Luke Glendening, Marc Staal,  Bernier, and Ryan are all rumored to be coveted by other teams around the league.  But here’s another name rising back into  trade rumor prominence.

Anthony Mantha.

This is hardly new, as his status has been hotly debated all season long. For every game that he’s looked great, there’s been another where he’s appeared disengaged. Add last night’s game to the list:


Mantha’s value right now is debatable, but as Matt Larkin wrote some weeks back, there could be an argument that he needs a change of scenery to hit his potential.

Then again, it could be that we’re all just overanalyzing.

Blashill’s Latest

Imagine if Detroit’s speciality teams have shown up more throughout the season.

The Red Wings Week Ahead

at Chicago – tonight 7:00 p.m.
at Columbus – Tuesday 7:00 p.m.
at Carolina – Thursday 7:00 p.m.

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