Detroit Red Wings Blue Line Report for the Week of November 13, 2022
By Steven Shaw
A Look at the Detroit Red Wings’ Fourteenth Game of the Season: New York Rangers
The first period was even. The Red Wings were tight and played well. The Red Wings often get trapped in their own end, and there are many failed breakout attempts, but wide-open forwards in dangerous places are rare.
Coaching and forward help has made the Red Wings a solid defensive team. The first goal was a blown coverage by Suter. The second period was mostly even, but the Rangers had the more dangerous chances. The first ten minutes of the third period were a mess on par with the recent Buffalo game. Five goals against in five minutes is a disaster. Good teams can strike fast if there is any letdown. An 8-2 game is a poor result. On to the west coast.
Detroit Red Wings: Game Fourteen Individual Reports
Moritz Seider – Grade C. Usually a great penalty killer but left Kreider open at the net front for an easy goal. The fourth goal was not a great one, as he did not cover up the crease neatly. Although he looked dangerous on the offensive end, there is that lack of engagement that he showed early games this season.
Ben Chiarot – Grade C. Not noticeable in this game. A tripping penalty in the second was a problem. But the penalty was killed.
Olli Määtä – Grade B. Assisted on the first goal with a solid breakout pass to Veleno, eventually leading to the Veleno goal. Maatta was his usual solid self throughout.
Filip Hronek – Grade B+. The Wings’ second goal was initiated by an excellent dump-in by Hronek. Shesterken had been intercepting the dump-ins and turning them into quick breakouts and transitions to offense. Hronek smartly changed the angle on the dump-in, and it led to Larkin’s play to Raymond for a good one-timer. Offensive plays start with smart plays from the defense, and this was one from Hronek.
Gustav Lindstrom – Grade C. Lindstrom is game, but he cannot get the puck out of his own end. Every time the third pairing is on, the Red Wings will spend most of the time in their own end and scrambling.
Robert Hägg – Grade C. Thankfully, Hagg’s defensive zone coverage is usually solid because he spent a lot of time trapped in his own zone.