8 Observations from the Red Wings 10-7 Loss to Toronto

That was something. The Red Wings rallied from a 7-2 deficit to only yield goals that would end the contest 10-7. There’s a ton to go over, and for the first time writing this, it’s almost as if eight aren’t enough.

We’ll start here:

#2: Head coach Jeff Blashill wasn’t nearly as pleased, calling it a “fools gold” game that didn’t see the team bring their best. He’s right, it wasn’t. Being in a 7-2 hole and then feverishly coming back to pull within is 7-6 is damn impressive, but it goes to show why Steve Yzerman has focused so heavily on the back end of the team in the draft. They need help.

#3: Beyond that, Detroit had a golden opportunity to tie it up at eight, and surrendered a short handed goal in less than ten seconds of the power play chance starting. Those moments are the hallmark of a young team–unable to capitalize on great chances and then just unable to recover. Beyond that, the ill-advised pass from Filip Hronek to a waiting Marc Staal was one of those slow motion Hollywood-like Nooooo yells as you see Michael Bunting read it and then take it the other way which leads to a goal.

It was evident in the first period too where Lucas Raymond had barely gotten Detroit on the board before David Kampf is scoring for the Leafs just 33 seconds later. Maddening, but part of the growth process.

#4: Let’s talk about Danny DeKeyser for a moment- I went back to just watch him on a shift and he still looks to be fighting through quick sand when he skates. Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff wrote that even Blashill conceded that DeKeyser hasn’t been able to get back to the level he was once at. From Duff:

The fact of the matter is that DeKeyser is certainly winding down his final days as a Red Wing and perhaps as an NHLer.There’s an old saying about when a veteran player loses their game. They’re usually the last one to know.

From a human perspective, and I’ve written this before, I genuinely appreciate him giving every last bit of himself for the team. It’s just clear, as Duff wrote, that his days as a Red Wing are most likely coming to a close.

#5: The fact that the Red Wings put up five goals in third shows what could be as they add more talent. More interesting, it started innocently enough with the Hronek goal that found its way through traffic. Rowney’s redirection definitely earned a raise of the eyebrow before Joe Veleno‘s goal from a trick angle really got the place going. Michael Rasmussen gets one and suddenly, the place was rocking. The Wings would yield another before Raymond answered again.

Say what you will about the job Blashill has done, but this team fights to the bitter end. And for all the criticism, or disagreements many have with his decisions, the team continues to battle. For any coach whose job is on life support, this just isn’t the case here.

#6: Rasmussen’s goal, by the way, was what they drafted him to do. He was completely alone, called for the shot from Seider at the point, got his big frame in front of Mrazek, and then finished it off with a heck of a redirection. More of this please.

#7: Of course Mitch Marner gets his first career hat trick against Detroit. Because doesn’t that always happen?

#8: A lot has been written and talked about regarding Moritz Seider in the never ending debate between him and Trevor Zegras for the Calder. What about Raymond? 42 points in 53 games (15-27),  and clearly a catalyst for a renewed offensive output this season for Detroit. If any Red Wings wins the trophy, it’ll be Seider. But as everyone has known, Raymond has been excellent and just imagine what he’ll do with more talent on the roster.