Detroit Red Wings Reactions: Sustainable Success
- Chad Marriott
- 2 minutes ago
- 3 min read
In recent years, the Detroit Red Wings have found success with goalies such as Cam Talbot, Ville Husso, and Alex Lyon, who have gone on unbelievable runs. That has sometimes combined with hot streaks, like last year's power play (27%, the best in franchise history). This season, the team is off to its best start in 15 years, with a 9-5 record. They've done this without too many goalie steals (Cam Talbot against the Maple Leafs), a modest power play (22.7%), and a much-improved penalty kill (87.2%).
The question about what this team really is has started to circulate, and with good reason. Will this team keep at a nearly 100-point pace? Most likely not; however, the way they are playing suggests this version of the team will be far more consistent than in previous years. This sustainable version will lead to more success, meaning a playoff berth is more likely than it has been in a long time.
Detroit Red Wings Reactions: The Basement Is Lifted
One element to consider is that the team has lifted the basement. So, the performances against the Islanders (a 7-2 loss) won't be a frequent occurrence. The penalty kill's improvement also supports this change. Another supporting factor here is that when Patrick Kane or Lucas Raymond has missed time, the team has not fallen apart. In recent years, an injury to even Andrew Copp has sent the team hurdling into chaos.
Todd McLellan has placed this team in a situation where they can't play hockey below a certain level. For example, in years past, their loss to the Las Vegas Kings (1-0) would have been much uglier with the underlying numbers. However, they didn't commit many penalties and found a way to hang in the game.
Detroit Red Wings Reactions: The Ceiling Hasn't Been Reached
The Red Wings have been able to start strong despite time missed by Raymond and Kane, haven't relied on goalie steals, and haven't reached their power-play potential. A few of these are linked. Kane and Raymond's absence from the lineup has certainly lowered the PP's effectiveness. The power play can be elite when they both return and play at full health.
Raymond, notably, returned from his injury and clearly wasn't at his full abilities. In the last two to three games, he's shown that he's back to form. Additionally, DeBrincat got off to an unlucky start in terms of goal scoring. Now that his puck luck has returned, the Red Wings are seeing additional production from him (he had seven assists through his first eight games). He now has 15 points in 14 games, including four goals.
Finally, the Red Wings have done this with only one goalie steal. Cam Talbot and John Gibson are playing well in the net. Gibson started the season with a rough game, but he has followed it up with better play, with a .909 save percentage following the season opener. Talbot has an .897 save percentage overall. The Red Wings would help them both immensely by continuing to improve their play in the defensive zone and spending more time in the offensive zone, but both can get hot and steal a few games for Detroit this season.
Detroit Red Wings Reactions: This is a Playoff Team
Ultimately, the reaction here is that the Detroit Red Wings have a model for more sustainable success than in past seasons. They aren't relying on a player getting hot, a goalie stealing a game, or a historically good power play to win games. They are improving in the little things, like winning puck battles and faceoffs, and avoiding silly mistakes and turnovers. Some of this analysis seems obvious and of little interest, but it's a model for success because many small things add up over time.
The Red Wings used to rely on hot streaks to win. Last season, they had two separate seven-game winning streaks. This year, they won't need that, but it doesn't mean one isn't on the way. The jokes about Steve Yzerman and adding "200-foot players" were amusing, but now the results are on the ice. They are winning more faceoffs (52%) and puck battles. They aren't relying on high shooting percentages. Will they win 100 games? No. Will they make the playoffs? Yes.
(All stats provided by Hockey Reference and Stat Muse)
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