Writer: Gage O'Leary
Twitter: @Gage_Sports
Red Wings extend winning streak in dominant win over the Flames:
Getty Images
Fatigue was not a factor for the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night as they've won on back-to-back nights in late evening games. Detroit has wrapped up its Canada road trip with 3 wins. The Wings combined for an incredible 16 goals scored in this 3-game road trip. They've played some incredible hockey of late and are making a push for the playoffs heading toward the trade deadline. The "Yzerplan" as Detroit fans call it, is finally showing massive progress as this team is alive and well in the playoff hunt.
So much credit should be given to coach Derek Lalonde and the Detroit Red Wings staff for this incredible turnaround, but most importantly this team's mindset. I'm a huge believer that the culture has to be good if you want to start building a team that will compete for championships in the future and the culture for the Wings seems to be great. I mentioned the Wing's mindset and I guarantee it's a huge reason why they've been able to be one of the best teams in hockey during this streak. We've heard many players explain the team's mindset for the upcoming trade deadline and it's to put the team in a position to make the playoffs rather than being a seller when the deadline gets here. Instead of saying that we're a young team that's still growing and building they are talking about making the playoffs which is a huge deal. Not many teams in the Red Wings position have said, hey, we're gonna go set ourselves up for the postseason... But this team has confidence in themselves that they can do it and it's showing on the ice.
The Red Wings are 7-3 in their last 10 games, in that span they have outscored their opponents 33 to 24, which gives them a points differential of 9. In the Wing's five-game winning streak, they have scored 23 goals, and in their last four games, they've scored at least 5 goals. It's fair to say that Detroit has had no trouble at all finding the back of the net and the numbers are very impressive but perhaps they are even more impressive given the fact that they've been without Lucas Raymond the past few games and although Jakub Vrana has returned to the roster he's been a healthy scratch since he's been back up with the team. Right now everyone is playing well, it's been the next man up and everyone is doing their part. One man however has been the team's top performer and he just so happens to be in the spotlight as he plays for a new contract and a big paycheck from his hometown team...
PAY THE CAPTAIN:
Getty Images
Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin is earning every penny that he asks for.
It's been no secret that Michigan native and now Red Wings star Dylan Larkin is looking for a contract extension before the start of next season. There was plenty of talk about how people thought that Larkin wasn't a first-line Center, but, as the negotiations started to heat up, so did Larkin's play. Right around the All-Star break is when talks started to heat up about Larkin's extension and Larkin was representing the Wings at the All-Star game and skills challenges. During the All-Star festivities, Larkin scored 5 Goals and put together 6 points. Since the All-Star break, Larkin has been the best player in Hockey. In Larkin's last 6 games, he has 6 goals and 6 assists for 12 total points and he currently has a 6 game point steak.
I'm as anxious as anyone to get Larkin extended, but it could be a smart move by Yzerman to wait. If Larkin keeps up at this pace it'll probably cost us more money to extend him, BUT, he's earned that money. Also, it's not uncommon for players to be at their best when they are playing for a new contract. Larkin is trying to get the big bucks and right now he's playing at the level we need him to if we are gonna make the playoffs. Extending him now could take away from that aspect of his performance. I know that Steve Yzerman is as brilliant of a GM as he was a player so it wouldn't surprise me if he is waiting to make sure we get the most out of Larkin during our playoff push. I'm confident he'll remain a Wing and Yzerman will get a deal done. When the time is right, it'll happen. For now, we need to remain patient and enjoy the way he's playing right now.
Do the Red Wings finally snap their playoff drought this season?:
With as long as hockey season is it almost feels like we're approaching the end of the road, but that is not the case. The Detroit Red Wings are only one game out of a Wildcard spot but take that with a grain of salt because there is plenty of competition pilled in for a Wildcard spot. We may be just one game back but there is still plenty of work to do. The two teams holding onto a playoff spot right now are Pittsburgh and Washington but Florida, New York (Islanders), Detroit and Buffalo are all knocking on the door. Which means we will be competing with at least five teams for one of those spots. If I had to guess if we're going to pull it off right now, I hate to say it, but I think I'd have to be logical and say no... But... I think we're proving we can be special right now with the way we're playing. Maybe, just maybe, we've turned the tide finally. If the Red Wings continue to play like this then we would be on pace to get in easily. For now though until we get a little further into the season I think it's more logical to go with a more experienced team like Pittsburgh, Washington, or Florida. Detroit is still young but that's certainly not a bad thing. This Red Wings team is reminding me of the Lions, we came in with not too high of expectations, and we didn't start the greatest but here we are making noise, playing better than any team in the sport, and knocking on the door of the playoffs. Whatever happens, we know no matter what we have something great to look forward to in this team, and I believe that. I think a bar will be set for playoffs next season and we're gonna have pretty big expectations for the Wings next season, just like we do with the Lions after the 2022 season. Hopefully, this team will be as special as I think they can be and maybe we make a run this season, but regardless, the fun is only getting started with this version of the Red Wings.
Thanks for the read!
Comentários