What an insane breakout by the Wings to set up the Copp goal to go up 1-0, some pretty passing all around. Walman outlet to Rasmussen, Ras to Perron, back to Ras, then over to Copp for the yawning goal.
I want to give Perron props on this goal. He drove his defender into the boards and gave him a little extra when the defender was down. Perron went to the net, and all the defender could focus on was trying to get Perron back….too bad the Caps defender interfered with his goalie because he was so focused on Perron and not where he was. I feel like Perron has been pretty….not good lately, but this really shows the little veteran moves he has. I feel like this roster can click and make some noise in the playoffs, but everything has to break right for that to happen.
I think both players still have places in the NHL, just not in the top six as you'd hope when you drafted them. They probably want Veleno for 3C/4C so Rasmussen can stay at center for now. Kubalik would be the option to sit in my opinion, I would add Sundqvist too but I think Lalonde likes him a lot. Either way I can't really argue with Zadina being the odd guy out though I think he has been playing fine since he's been back. I wouldn't have minded seeing Zadina and Vrana on a line together to be honest.
Also I think I'm losing my mind. I was convinced I made a post in here about how I was wrong about Bertuzzi and that he looks pretty good now. But I think it was a dream where I did that, kinda scary that motownforums is invading my subconsciousness.
Bert seems like the type of player a GM with a little desperation would talk himself into. Plays the game the right way, tough to play against, playoff hockey... I would also lean to him being worth more than you would think but it could just be my homer-ness coming out.
I'm guessing he wouldn't want to do it, but I wouldn't mind resting Perron on this back to back tonight. He hasn't looked as good as he did early on in the season to be honest, getting him some rest might not be a bad idea.
A bI'm a little surprised but not mad. I always forget that Maatta is only 28 years old since he's been in the league for so long. I thought they might figure out Walman before Maatta.
I have to admit Bertuzzi is playing way better now that I thought he would at any point this season. Hopefully someone wants to trade for him! 😆
Nice to squeeze out a win, I know a lot of shots against the Wings aren't high danger but these lopsided shot totals get stressful.
Regarding the waivers point, maybe some team would take Vrana if the Wings retain money but I would be surprised if it happened. It does open up more options for teams rather than just who can afford his cap hit on waivers.
HSJ has largely been an organization mouthpiece so could be some truth to it, though I think when Yzerman came on board that kinda dried up but I don't read her stuff much. Personally I am done speculating because I have no clue at this point haha.
100% agree, hopefully this all was either purely conditioning or they can partially repair their rift because the Wings are desperate for any sort of scoring. I think I saw that Detroit has the second lowest expected goals of any team which lines up with the eye test.