Detroit Red Wings give Todd McLellan the victory over his former team; Dominik Shine's feel-good story

The Detroit Red Wings continue to show improvement under new head coach Todd McLellan. Since taking over as Detroit’s bench boss, the team is now 11-4-1 and still in the playoff mix.

Monday marked McLellan’s first contest against his former team. McLellan was asked about his feelings about the situation following Monday’s morning skate. 

"“It’s odd because it’s like you got sent to another family and you look over at some of the players you were mentoring and helping grow, and they’re wearing a different color than you. But that’s okay. That’s called sport and called being competitive. "

Todd McLellan

The Detroit Red Wings were able to buck a trend for new coaches.

The script has been flipped this season when it comes to coaches facing their former squads. The expected pattern is usually for the new squad to rally behind their new coach and use the bump in motivation to defeat the team who fired them. The team dedicates the win to their skipper; it’s a feel-good story, and they all go home happy. 

It seems NHL teams failed to get the memo this season. In fact, the opposite has resulted this year for new coaches facing their prior squads. Buffalo’s Lindy Ruff, New Jersey’s Sheldon Keefe, Columbus’s Dean Evason, and Toronto’s Craig Berube have gone a combined 0-7-2 against their previous teams.

The Red Wings overcame the losing trend and earned the W for McLellan. It was a solid team victory and a fun watch for Red Wings fans. Aside from McLellan getting a win over the Los Angeles Kings, Elmer Soderblom scored his first NHL goal in the second period. Marco Kasper netted a pair of goals, while Lucas Raymond continued to impress with a four-point performance. 

Additionally, there was a major feel-good moment for Detroit on Monday. Dominik Shine became the oldest player since 1977 to make their Red Wings debut. Shine, a Michigan native, has been with the team’s AHL affiliate, Grand Rapid Griffins, since the 2016-17 season. 

The Red Wings are back in action Thursday night, kicking off a four-game Western road trip against the Edmonton Oilers. We’ll see if the Red Wings can keep the momentum before the league takes a break for the Four Nations Face-Off. At what point is their improved record no longer a product of a “new coach bump” and simply the new norm? Time will tell.