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.
from Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press,
Don't forget tonight's game is an ESPN+/Hulu exclusive. Puck drop is 7:30pm.
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
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
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
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.
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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