The Detroit Red Wings can score more than they have but are not going to produce a lot of offense, even with a full complement of players.
That’s why it’s essential they play tight defensively and limit scoring chances against. It’s not the most entertaining hockey, but it can be effective, giving them an opportunity to pull out games in the third period or after regulation.
That is the blue print they used Tuesday to prevent Dallas from scoring five-on-five. The Stars, however, scored with their potent power play and then Jason Dickinson converted at 1:32 of overtime for a 2-1 victory at American Airlines Center.
It was a frustrating loss, but the Red Wings (2-4-1) played considerably better than they showed in consecutive losses at Chicago.
“It’s critical that we play this way,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “In the Columbus game we won in overtime (Jan. 21), there were very few chances both ways. That’s the way we’re going to have to play. We’d love to create tons of chances and not give many up, but if we’re giving up lots of chances it’ll be hard for us.
“We got to make sure we’re a team that’s really good defensively, that protects that critical ice inside the (face-off) dots, that’s good structurally, and then we get our offense from having the puck more. We still got to find ways to create more offense, but it starts by making sure we’re good on the defensive side of the puck.”
Luke Glendening wasn’t satisfied with one point but was pleased with his team’s work ethic and compete level.
“We would love to score more goals, but we got to make sure we’re tight defensively and limit their chances as best we can to give ourselves the best opportunity to win on a nightly basis,” Glendening said.
Relief for Namestnikov
Perhaps no Red Wing needed to score more than Vladislav Namestnikov. After being held without a point the first six games, Namestnikov opened the scoring at 11:37 of the first period.
“I had plenty of opportunities to score but that’s how hockey goes, sometimes they don’t go in,” Namestnikov said. “I’m glad to get that first one, but it would have been nice to get the win.”
Namestnikov played on the wing the first six games but was moved to center for this game. He can play all three forward positions.
“I thought that was Vladdy’s best game,” Blashill said. “Maybe scoring a goal is a weight off his shoulders. He’s somebody who feels he’s hard on himself at times. We talked about just playing and not worrying about points and goals, but when you’re a forward you worry about that stuff, so it was good for him to get it.”
Namestnikov said he tried not to let the drought get into his head.
“If you play the right way, my dad always said, opportunities will open up and you’ll get your points,” he said.
Young forwards deliver
Givani Smith forechecked hard to win a puck race in the corner and slide a pass behind the net to Taro Hirose, who centered to Namestnikov for the goal.
The young forwards were promoted from the taxi squad because several forwards were unavailable (Robby Fabbri, Filip Zadina, Sam Gagner and Adam Erne due to COVID protocol and Darren Helm with an injury).
“They did a good job overall and probably deserved more minutes, so it’s something we’re going to have to look at,” Blashill said. “They create some zone time.
“From Smitty’s perspective, that’s how he’s going to be successful, being a real good forechecker, real good in the O-zone. He’s really, really strong. He doesn’t get knocked off the puck as much as he did a year ago. He’s continued to get stronger, so the work he’s put in has been a real positive. I like Smitty a lot, he does a good job when he’s in those areas.”
Said Glendening: “I thought Smitty’s physicality was outstanding. He was working, laying some big hits. He’s a big body and when he’s going, he’s really effective.”
More: Anthony Mantha needs to get his game going
The Link LonkJanuary 27, 2021 at 06:05PM
https://www.mlive.com/redwings/2021/01/red-wings-realize-its-critical-they-play-this-way.html
Red Wings realize it’s ‘critical’ they play this way - mlive.com
https://news.google.com/search?q=Red&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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