The Detroit Red Wings Are Off To A Great Start
Don’t look now, but the Detroit Red Wings are on absolute fire! Yes, I know, it’s only October, and Stanley Cups aren’t won now, but this team is clicking and off to a fantastic start.
Let’s start with the top line. Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, and Alex DeBrincat have been a wagon! Especially the “Cat”. In just 6 games played, DeBrincat has got 8 goals, including a hat trick over the weekend, and 4 assists to lead the NHL in scoring. That line has been nearly unstoppable.
After losing the first game of the season, the Wings have put up five W’s since. It’s been fun to watch veterans like David Perron, Shayne Gostisbehere, Joe Veleno, and others look like they’re having fun shift after shift.
During an interview on national television last week, GM Steve Yzerman was vague when asked about expectations for this squad. He mentioned showing progress, the younger guys taking a bigger role, and a team that can not only make the playoffs but continually do it. He was also asked about the number of Michigan-born players on the team. While that wasn’t something he looks at when bringing in talent, he said it doesn’t hurt. Personally, I think there’s a huge pride factor in playing in your hometown, or home state. As much as a Larkin-led team hasn’t had much success yet, you can never doubt that he’s very proud to play for his favorite childhood hockey team. I think DeBrincat has the same feeling, as do Jeff Petry and Andrew Copp.
As one of my friends from out-of-state said to me, he said they’re fun to watch and aggressive. I’d say so far in the young season, that’s an accurate description of the current team. They seem to be playing for each other and with a certain chip on their shoulder.
It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a playoff team here in Hockeytown, but maybe this is the year we claw our way back into the postseason. I’ve said it before, in my opinion, we HAVE to make the playoffs this year. Yzerman has had time to put his pieces in place and there are no excuses. Hell, half the teams in the NHL make the playoffs! We NEED to be back in the mix. At this point, I’m not too concerned about competing for a Cup just yet, but there must be games in the LCA after the regular season ends.
So far, so good!
Lets Go Red Wings!
-Meltdown-
Pictures From The Detroit Red Wing/Boston Bruins Alumni Game
