It’s almost that time of the season again: One in which we start seeing the dreaded ‘E’ next to some teams. Heading into Thursday’s games, only the San Jose Sharks are eliminated from playoff contention, but a few teams are bound to follow.
Right now, it looks like the Red Wings will be one of those rather unlucky names with their rough strength of schedule looming unless they figure something out starting this weekend. Oh, and as mentioned in some previous pieces, they better hope a few teams slip up.
If they want to maximize their chances of making the playoffs, it will take an obvious team effort. But, there are three players who must step up their respective games more than any other to maximize their potential.
1 - Vladimir Tarasenko
Earlier, I talked about how Tarasenko is singing his swan song in the Motor City no matter what happens. He’s been a liability for the Wings, but if he picks up his game, Detroit will have another surefire scorer at their disposal.
Right now, 27 points and nine goals, plus a 7.6 shooting percentage in 66 games should give fans next to no hope regarding Tarasenko. But it’s also not like he can’t play anymore. Just last season, when he was with the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers, Tarasenko snagged 55 points and 23 goals in 76 games. His 14.8 shooting percentage proved he could still find the net often.
All we need to see is, through the final month of this roller coaster of a campaign, a vintage version of Tarasenko. If he can bring that version of himself to the forefront, there’s going to be a lot more hope moving forward.
2 - Marco Kasper
If there’s ever a ‘most improved player’ award from Game 1 to Game 82, Marco Kasper may be the recipient if we’re talking strictly of the Red Wings. Nobody has come so far since he first took the ice with Detroit, and he’s since turned into another player opponents must account for every time he’s in the game.
No, Kasper’s points total won’t scare opponents if they look at it from an overall perspective, as he’s got just 13 goals and 27 points in 63 contests. But Kasper’s impact has come in multiple ways, not just as a supplementary points producer.
His 45.3 faceoff win percentage won’t wow many fans, but that’s not a bad number for a first-year player. But what’s impressed me about Kasper is his willingness to play a physical game, evidenced by his 123 hits this season. Do the math, and that’s nearly two body checks per game.
Here are some other statistics I like that may fly under the radar: A 50.4 Corsi For Percentage, meaning he’s helping to create a few more chances in the offensive zone than he’s forced to defend against. Kasper also has a 56.1 through rate, which is third on the team among Red Wings players who have appeared in 56 games or more.
3 - Moritz Seider
Moritz Seider is the Red Wings No. 1 player at the blue line, and he’s the ‘quarterback’ of so many sequences. With 38 points and 31 assists, Seider has made a definite impact in the offensive zone, but more is needed, especially when you factor in he’s only clocking in with a 9.1 on-ice shooting percentage at even strength.
Per usual, Seider has shown relentless endurance, with 68 contests played as of Thursday and an average time on ice of 25:08. His 155 blocks and 182 hits continue to make him a force in the defensive zone, so if he kicks up the intensity even more, he will frustrate opponents.
Overall, he’s been the heart and soul of the Red Wings next to players like Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond. But when you talk about some of the edgiest players in the game today, Seider is becoming someone you think about often.
As the ‘down the stretch’ period reaches its more high-stakes moments, Seider’s physicality is something he must take full advantage of. If he uses it to deny plays and shots on goal while pitching in more offensively, Detroit will be a better hockey team.