DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings were in the playoffs at the end of February last season, but if you blinked, you might have missed it because it didn’t last long.This year’s team seems to be physically stronger. He goes deeper with a much stronger offense and better goaltending. The secret to going 8-2-1 in the new year is the team’s improved defense.
The Red Wings are in a playoff spot, four points ahead of New Jersey (with two games remaining) and the New York Islanders.
Of course, things can change quickly. And he stayed most of the season (34 games). But the Red Wings are on track to meet their minimum goal: to play meaningful games in the second half of the season.
“Probably the takeaway from (last Sunday’s) game against Tampa is that this momentum we’ve had recently has given us some big games in the second half of the season,” coach Derek LaLonde said after Thursday’s 3-0 win. over the Flyers.said. . “We have to learn to get used to it. We are in the middle of it now. “I think we did pretty well.”
Beating Philadelphia in regulation was important because the Red Wings are one of the teams that could compete for a wild card spot.”This is a meaningful game that we want to play,” said Moritz Seider. “I think (Thursday) was a very successful day for us. We played a very strong team and held them back defensively. “We will keep this in mind for the long term and work hard to advance in the playoffs.”
The Red Wings (25-18-5, 55 points) play defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas (29-14-6, 64 points) tonight (8 p.m., BallySport Detroit).Detroit allowed 28 goals (2.55 goals per game) in 11 games in January. The team scored 128 goals (3.46 goals per game) in the first 37 games.”If we want to continue to be successful, we have to limit the goals we allow ourselves,” Lalonde said. “It’s time to practice. There seems to be a certain team spirit, a sense of pride and recent success.
A group I’m proud of has had some recent successes.”I think the message was that we’ve been under two goals in the last two or three weeks.” Seider said. I think we do a good job of holding people back and being strong around the net. The boys stand in front of the puck. Alex plays great. Obviously, this is a big statement for the two of us and the younger ones.Goaltender Alex Lyon (12-6-1, 2.52 goals-against average, .922 save percentage) is the main reason the defense has improved.”He kept us in a lot of games,” Lucas Raymond said. “Of course it’s good to have him behind. “We want to help him and make it as easy as possible.”Lalonde: “Hear the whistle, don’t give up the ball, handle the puck well. He was there for us. It removes some of the confusion.”
Leave a Reply