Originally posted on Detroit Hockey Now | By Kevin Allen | Last updated Jan 10, 2025 11:02 PM ET
When a team like the Detroit Red Wings is winning there is more time to marvel at the wonder of a player’s ability or the excitement of a player’s first NHL goal.
There’s more willingness to tinker with the lineup, to be patient with younger players and to explore whether there is a better approach. Before Christmas, it seemed like all the Red Wings could focus on was trying to win a single game.
After Detroit beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-3 Friday for their season-best sixth consecutive win, it’s clear this team has a much healthier attitude about themselves and where they are headed. Patrick Kane had three assists in the game. Rookie Albert Johansson’s first NHL goal was a game-winner. Another young player, Marco Kasper, scored an empty net goal. Lucas Raymond scored his 17th. Confidence is now strong with this group.
“I said it on the bench… (Kane) has unreal poise with the puck,” coach Todd McLellan said. “There’s traffic, there’s people going everywhere, and guys are taking runs at him. And he’s just so calm, and he can hold it a little longer. And while he’s doing that, he’s seeing things.”
On the Andrew Copp goal, Kane started the play by hanging onto the puck in the offensive zone.
“He bobbed and weaved through, slowed it down enough so the players could catch up,” McLellan said. “I think he found Gustafsson and then Copp on the rebound. But that was all Patty Kane, just slowing things down and creating opportunities for teammates.”
Everything is slowed down now for the Red Wings. They are seeing their game more clearly, understanding how they need to play.
Power Play Sizzling
They were 1-for-4 on the power play against Chicago, meaning they have scored at least one power play goal in all seven games McLellan has been behind the bench. They are 11-for-23 (47.8%) on the power play in that span.
“I think it’s not always going to be tic tac toe, right,” Raymond said. “If you look at tonight, it comes off almost a puck retrieval and we attack. I think that’s been a big part, retrieving pucks, taking shots, kind of having that shot first mentality. And yeah, it brings a lot of positive to the game. You can get momentum off your power play and your PK. ”
The Red Wings (19-18-4) now are sustaining the momentum they couldn’t find before Christmas. They are only two points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They are only four points out of third in the Atlantic Division. With games against the Seattle Kraken (28th) and San Jose Sharks (31st) on Sunday and Tuesday, they are thinking big.
“We won six games or whatever, but we really haven’t had a true 60-minute effort,” McLellan said. ” We’re still in waves up and down, but the ability to go grab the momentum. Now, they understand they can do that by doing certain things. So that’s a good sign. “
More must-reads:
- Bruins star strongly fires back after report of locker room issue
- Utah Hockey Club star winger out indefinitely with lower-body injury
- The ‘NHL franchise all-time point leaders’ quiz
