Abel to Yzerman

Abel to Yzerman

The Fourth Line And Winning

12/08/2022 at 7:57am EST

from Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now,

On paper, the value of the fourth line of the Detroit Red Wings is apparent. The trio of Joe Veleno, Jonatan Berggren and Austin Czarnik has scored a goal in each of Detroit’s two victories to launch the club’s current four-game road trip.

In fact, the line has scored in three of Detroit’s past four games. But the impact of this unit goes far beyond the scoresheet.

“That line has had some great chemistry,” Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said. “Today’s NHL with the salary cap it’s hard to build a true one line, two line, three line, four line, that fourth line just being a checking line, heavy line.

“Sometimes you’re going to have looks like this, where we’re at.”

Step back and encompass the big picture, and the role this threesome is playing in the success story that’s so far unfolding for the Red Wings becomes even more vital.

continued

from Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press,

One victory against a highly skilled opponent and a few victories on the road, does not a season make. But it does make a team trying to gauge its own growth feel positive.

The Detroit Red Wings will try to go for a third straight victory Thursday at the Florida Panthers, an Atlantic Division team below the Wings in the standings but considered among the NHL's elites. That challenge looks more winnable after Tuesday, when the Wings executed a 4-2 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning, a team that has been to the Stanley Cup Final the last three years.

"I think everyone just expects to win a whole lot more,” forward Michael Rasmussen said. “You’re seeing it in games like that. Maybe in the past few years we haven’t found a way to pull that one out, so overall, that and everyone is collectively getting the job done.”

The past 10 days have given the Wings an indication of how they stack up against teams projected to be in the playoffs. Last week they lost, 4-2, to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and 4-1 to the Vegas Golden Knights. But Ville Husso had an off night against the Leafs, and the Knights scored in the opening minute and as hard as the Wings pushed, they chased all night.

The difference Husso makes was on display in Tampa, when he made 28 saves — that's often an entire game's worth — just in the third period. The Wings have used him in three of the last four games, but Alex Nedeljkovic will get a chance to distance himself from several shaky starts before the trip ends Saturday at the Dallas Stars.

continued ($)

Paul

Don't forget tonight's game is an ESPN+/Hulu exclusive.  Puck drop is 7:30pm.

Paul

from Kevin Allen of Detroit Hockey Now,

NHL coaches like to remind players that games in October, November and December are just as important as the games in March and April when playoff races are in full bloom. Thats particularly true for the Red Wings tonight as they face the Florida Panthers in Sunrise, Fla.

No playoff spot will be decided. But it feels nonetheless like an ultra-important contest for the Red Wings. If Detroit downs the Panthers, it will be the first time since 2010-11 Detroit swept the Panthers and Lightning on a Florida trip. They have only won once in the last nine road games against the Panthers.

A sweep would certainly add another layer of credibility to the idea that Detroit is in the Atlantic Division playoff race.

continued

Paul

NHL.com with their top 16 teams this week,

12. Detroit Red Wings (13-7-5)

Total points: 63

Last week: No. 13

"Have we reached the point 25 games into the Red Wings season that we should be taking them seriously and thinking that they are a legit playoff contender? I think so. So much starts with goaltending, and Ville Husso has been everything the Red Wings were hoping for in a No. 1. He's 11-4-3 with a 2.54 GAA, .916 save percentage and three shutouts. Those are numbers that can help a team get to the playoffs. The veteran players in Detroit, such as forwards Dylan Larkin, David Perron and Andrew Copp, and defensemen Ben Chiarot and Olli Maatta, have insulated the younger players, making the Red Wings are deeper and more dangerous team. They just defeated the Lightning 4-2 at Tampa Bay. That's significant. I have the Red Wings at No. 12, and that's not just because they're third in the Atlantic Division. I think they're legit." -- Rosen

Paul

Nate Brown of Detroit Hockey Now,

Berggrens Play Foreshadows a Longer Stay in Detroit

The 22-year-old is knocking on the door of being in the top ten of points for the team, currently tied with Pius Suter, who has played twice as many games. Averaging 12:42 of ice time, the bulk of Berggrens time has been with Joe Veleno while shifting when Lalonde finds a favorable spot for the young forward.

Berggren is averaging 3.1 points per 60 minutes while his xGF is 5.9.

So the only remaining question is what might Berggren do if he finds his way into the top six?

Similar to the inevitably of finding his way onto Detroits roster this season, itll only be a matter of time before Lalonde offers him top-six minutes.

If his previous performance is any indication, Berggren will be ready once again and it certainly seems like hell be in Detroit for the long haul.

more

Paul

via NHL Short notes which is published in the KK Hockey section every morning.

Filip Hronek will put his season-opening road point streak (11 GP) on the line when the Red Wings (13-7-5, 31 points) travel to Florida to take on the Panthers (12-10-4, 28 points) in an Atlantic Division showdown on Hulu, ESPN+ and Sportsnet 360. Hronek, with 4-1115 as a visitor in 2022-23, can join Edmontons Paul Coffey (4-1620 in 12 GP; 1986-87) as the second defenseman in NHL history to post a 12-game road point streak from the start of a season.


evileye

Nice to see the fourth line getting some press. I've been very impressed with their play as of late. I honestly thought they were the best line in the Tampa game. This has to bode well for the future.

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