When Detroit Red Wings fans think of effective lines for the team this season, they will look at the team's first line that consists of Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond, or the second line with Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane. However, the Red Wings' fourth line, consisting of Elmer Soderblom, Michael Rasmussen, and Mason Appleton, has been one of the most effective lines for the team this season. This line has currently been the Red Wings' best defensive line, and has dominated puck possession when they are on the ice.
What teams look for out of a fourth line is not a whole lot. Good defensive play, not taking penalties, and scoring the occasional goal is all a team can ask. Although they have yet to score a goal, this line has done everything else. The line of Soderblom, Rasmussen, and Appleton has a Corsi percentage of 57.4 this season. This ranks as the team's highest when comparing to the team’s current lines.
Being one of the most dominant lines for the Red Wings is already an impressive feat, yet the fourth line defensively is even more impressive when they are compared to other lines in the NHL. When compared to other lines that have played 100 minutes or more, the Wings' fourth line ranks 14th in shot attempts against per 60 minutes, and fourth in expected goals against per 60 minutes with 1.6.
That said this line definitely has some flaws, which are their goal-scoring ability. In 101 minutes played together this year, the line has scored zero goals. They have an expected goals for of 4.6. In the 16 games they have played together this season, the line has heavily controlled the play when on the ice. The stats show it, but when watching the games, the eye test shows it as well.
Most notable flaw of Red Wings' fourth line has been actually scoring a goal
The line spends lots of time in the offensive zone and always generates good scoring chances. The main problem for all three players is that they are on pace to have a career high or close to a career high in percentage of unblocked shots that miss the net. This has been a problem for other players on the team this year as well. If this line continues to get good chances on the offensive end and play similar to how they have been on the defensive end, the goals should come.
As much as these players have been struggling to hit the net on their shots, they have also been a little unlucky, which has been shown with the actual vs expected stats. Eventually, the luck will come their way, and this fourth line that has already been so good for the Red Wings will only get better.
With the trade deadline looming, the Red Wings should not look to add a bottom-six forward, especially with the play of the fourth line. If the team can manage to get a top-six forward instead, a player like Marco Kasper can move down in the lineup and look to bolster the bottom-six for the team. Although the three of Soderblom, Rasmussen, and Appleton work well together, there are always ways to improve a roster, and the Red Wings fourth line could become even more dangerous.