from Ansar Khan of Mlive,

The Red Wings are averaging 2.90 goals per game, a sharp rise from 2.59 last season and their highest output since 2011-12, when they finished seventh in the league at 2.91.

It didn’t start that way. The Red Wings averaged just 2.10 goals while going 1-7-2 in their first 10 games. They have averaged 3.32 goals while going 12-5-2 in their past 19.

Coach Jeff Blashill can cite several factors for the uptick. Better net presence is first and foremost, he said.

“I think we’ve been way harder at the net,” Blashill said. “I think we’ve gotten in front of the goalie’s eyes way better. I think we’ve created lots of chaos because of that, so then you score some goals.

“Even if it’s not you in front of the (goalie’s) eyes, it might be the D that’s trying to cover you. Two of the goals (in Thursday’s 5-4 overtime victory at Toronto) were partially contributed to that. So, I think that allows you to score on a more consistent basis.”

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