A winless week for the Red Wings (0-2-1) is not a good sign. A young team is going to be inconsistent and have high highs and low lows. The 8-2 loss to New York is terrible but more of a lesson to be learned than a bad omen—that is, if you relax for five minutes, then a 2-2 game can become a 7-2 game.
There is a more troubling long-term trend. The third pairing has been a major problem this year. Over the last two weeks, there is a trend that the ice time for Hägg, Lindstrom, and Oesterle has been creeping lower. For the Saturday night match-up with the Kings, the third pairing was on the ice for less than 13 minutes.
For a few games, this is no problem. But in an 82-game season, there is extra stress placed on the first two pairs. The third pairing requires a significant upgrade. This season, Walman, Pysyk, Sebrango, McIsaac, and Edvinsson all deserve serious looks.
A Look at the Detroit Red Wings’ Thirteenth Game of the Season: Montreal Canadiens
The last-minute goal in the first period hurt as the Red Wings were the better team throughout. Jake Allen was fantastic as the Canadiens killed off three penalties in the second period. The Detroit power play looked good and dangerous. Sometimes you get ‘goalied’ in the NHL. The team earned a win, but a shootout loss was the result.
Detroit Red Wings: Game Thirteen Individual Reports
Moritz Seider – Grade B+. He looked good and dangerous on the offensive end. Seider looks as if he is going to break out and return to being a dominating player, then regresses in the next game. This was a strong game with excellent defensive anticipation and fine work on the power play.
Ben Chiarot – Grade B+ . He was doing his thing and bullying the smaller Canadiens’ forwards.
Olli Määttä – Grade B-. Maatta relaxed on the second goal and allowed Hoffman a clear chance at the rebound. That goal was the end of the first period hurt the team and required them to play catch-up throughout.
Filip Hronek – Grade B-. He also gets some blame, as do all the players on the ice for Montreal’s second goal. The entire team played soft in the last forty seconds of the first period. Hronek was generally good with the puck again, but in the NHL, one play can cost the team a game.
Gustav Lindstrom – Grade C. I always like and appreciate his effort. But I am still awaiting Jake Walman’s return.
Jordan Oesterle – Grade C. His defensive zone coverage is good and consistent. His breakout passes, but not so much.