A Look at the Detroit Red Wing’s Eighth Game of the Season: Minnesota Wild
This is a Derek Lalonde victory. The Red Wings were five forwards down. Moreover, there have not been offensive contributions from Suter, Copp, Zadina, or Veleno. The Wild were quick and skilled. This win is attributed to the defensive zone coverage that was far better than they had shown. There were few blown coverages and wide-open forwards in front of Husso.
This is the kind of game that used to be won only by a goalie stealing the win. Husso was strong but did not steal this game. The Wild were swarming, but they were covered, kept to the outside, and several shots were blocked.
The 2-1 home win was a team win based on structure, work, and discipline—a great team victory with the blue line leading the way. The game ended what could have turned into a losing streak and ended the week on a strong note. This could start the blue line gelling into a positive force.
Detroit Red Wings: Game Eight Individual Reports
Ben Chiarot— Grade B. Chiarot is all attitude and physical strength. He adds a lot to this team. He drove into the offensive zone with the puck, contributed to the cycle, and made an excellent contribution to Raymond’s first-period goal.
Moritz Seider—Grade C in the first period and A- in the second and third periods. He looked to continue to be struggling in the first period. He was beaten and chased the play on the Wild’s two-on-one goal early in the first. Later that period, he took a shot to the inside of the knee that stunned him. That stinger seems to increase his intensity.
Seider was a major player in the five-man pressure cycle, eventually leading to Raymond’s first goal. A shot-blocking machine. Seider was everywhere in the second and third periods. He killed penalties, cleared the crease, bullied forwards along the boards, and had an active stick that deflected multiple dangerous passes. After the first goal against, Seider played his best game of the season.
Ollie Määttä – Grade B. A couple of great shot blocks in the third period when the Wild were pressing. He holds the defensive structure together. Defensive zone structure is a team and coaching issue, but Maatta is smart and disciplined in executing the plan.
Filip Hronek – Grade B+ — This was the best defensive game by Hronek in memory. I loved the grit in standing up for Perron in the third period. He manhandled and took down the Wild forward, Shaw (no relation), with authority.
It is easy to forget that Hronek can be a tough character. I think he forgets that too often as well. He was an important factor in the defensive stand in the third. Excellent play along the boards. More of this type of play from Hronek to complement his power play leadership, and this could be the start of something good.
Jordan Oesterle – Grade B. Oesterle’s first game of the season was a strong effort. I expected some rust, but he works well with Hagg. Oesterle is much better on his own end than Lindstrom. His play along the boards was solid; he picked up the right man and played with aggression. A better-than-decent game for his season debut.
Robert Hägg – Grade B. Hägg has been the model of consistency. Big, solid, tough, and smart. I suspect that he will not earn a grade higher than a B or a grade lower than a C all year long. He will not do anything spectacular and will rarely make a big mistake.