Detroit Red Wings Blue Line Report for the Week of November 6, 2022
By Steven Shaw
A Look at the Detroit Red Wings Tenth Game of the Season: Washington Capitals
A home game and the 25th-anniversary celebration of the 1997 Stanley Cup-winning team. A choppy first period. Not a lot of energy from the Wings, and the second period was dominated by the Caps. The Detroit Red Wings improved in the latter half of the second period. Fairly even. Both teams looked to be playing a low-event road game.
Some extremely careless puck management throughout the game by the entire team, especially breakout passes from the defense. This was a chaotic game with few real chances. Husso was sharp and stole the game. A fortunate result but a fine win against a depleted but still dangerous team
Detroit Red Wings: Game Ten Individual Reports
Ben Chiarot — Grade C. Sharp and in position. Making smart plays, usually. But that turnover with him and Luff in the second was so ugly and led to a grade-A scoring chance. He is meshing with Seider. He is solid when playing defense, but his carelessness with the puck was glaring in this game.
Moritz Seider – Grade B. He still seems just a little bit off. Passes are less than perfect. For example, he was missing Perron’s wheelhouse for one-timers. He improved in the second and third periods. He was more engaged but not dominant. Teams are not engaging him physically. It is noticeable that when he blocks a shot or someone is aggressive in a scrum that his engagement increases. Seider looks to be slowly rounding into form as he gets a little better each game.
Olli Määttä – Grade B. Always good. He has been the best defenseman for the Red Wings this season, and that is not a good thing. Maatta is a better-than-league-average defenseman. He should not be the best defenseman on a playoff team.
Filip Hronek – Grade B. Hronek is gaining confidence and making quicker and better decisions. The cross-checking penalty in the second period was unnecessary. Strong work in this game. He seems more physical over the last couple of games, and it looks good on him.
Robert Hägg – Grade C. Hägg had his pocket picked in the first period and was saved by Husso. He followed up that poor play with a slashing penalty. Yet, a strong penalty kill saved him. I may have to take back what I said about Hagg being solid and consistent. The last two games have been poor and sloppy for Hägg. I know it is not the correct developmental decision, but Sebrango and Edvinsson would be a significant upgrade for the third pairing.
Gustav Lindstrom – Grade C. Still getting hemmed in the zone. Little help from the forwards and a lot of scrambling.