Notes from Crimson Wings' 2-1 Win in Pittsburgh

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October 2, 2024

Tuesday night time in Pittsburgh, the Crimson Wings scored a 2-1 victory over the host Penguins on the energy of a late winner from 2023 first spherical draft choose Nate Danielson. Danieslon took benefit of a transition alternative to drive the online and convert for the game-winner off an help from 2024’s first rounder, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard:

Past that optimism garnered by that youthful Danielson-Brandsegg-Nygard mixture for the sport winner and the consequence itself, listed below are three notes from Detroit’s efficiency:

Husso Impresses

At this stage of the (pre-)season, Ville Husso’s greatest precedence is re-gaining the belief of the Crimson Wings’ teaching workers. Together with his efficiency Tuesday, he did sturdy work towards that finish, as he was the unambiguous standout in an altogether sturdy Detroit efficiency.

Dec 2, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Detroit Red Wings goalie Ville Husso (35) looks on during warm-up before the game against the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre.<p><button class= — Dec 2, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Detroit Crimson Wings goalie Ville Husso (35) seems to be on throughout warm-up earlier than the sport towards the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre.

Necessary Credit score&colon; David Kirouac-Imagn Photos

Husso opened with an ideal 14 saves on 14 photographs within the first interval. He conceded early within the second, however that got here solely after a robust save in tight, earlier than Rickard Rakell was in a position to bury a rebound. He would in the end punctuate his night time with various sturdy stops on high-danger Penguin seems to be within the third interval, together with a determined net-front scramble with a minute to play. Maybe most essential of all for Husso is that he went a full 60 minutes wholesome, constant, and stingy.

By night time’s finish, he made an impressive 43 saves on 44 photographs, towards a Pittsburgh lineup that featured its justifiable share of potential AHLers but additionally Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang. As ever, the “it is solely pre-season” caveat applies, however it could be laborious to ask for a stronger or extra encouraging efficiency from Husso because the common season beckons.

Lombardi Scores, Grinds

Amadeus Lombardi had a robust efficiency for Detroit. The spotlight was a purpose, scored after an assertive lower inside, then ripped shot previous Tristan Jarry. In a pre-season outlined by expertise and expertise disparities, it is price noting Jarry’s standing as a longtime NHL netminder. There is no doubting Lombardi’s pace or stick-handling, however there may be some query as to his talents to deploy these abilities within the NHL. This purpose is a superb instance of what you’d wish to see much more of from Lombardi: driving offense into the slot for high-danger possibilities. If he could make a behavior of that, he can absolutely contribute on the NHL degree.

The Crimson Wings shuffled strains considerably liberally Tuesday night time, however a couple of shifts noticed Lombardi alongside Elmer Soderblom and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard. It was good to see that trio apply some forechecking strain collectively, even when it did not yield a purpose. That is proper up Brandsegg-Nygard’s alley, nevertheless it’s one other space the place Soderblom and Lombardi have room for development. None of that trio has an particularly practical place at an NHL roster spot in the interim, but when Brandsegg-Nygard opts to stay round North America, it may very well be a enjoyable line for the Griffins this yr in Grand Rapids.

Motte-Veleno-Watson Previews Re-Outlined Fourth Line

Within the Tyler Motte, Joe Veleno, and Austin Watson triumvirate, coach Derek Lalonde provided a decently practical preview of the Crimson Wings fourth line come October tenth. Veleno could be the only holdover from final yr’s fourth line, however the introduction of the industrious, tight checking Motte and easy, bodily Watson represents a transparent change of course from final yr’s fourth line mainstays Robby Fabbri and Daniel Sprong.

I wrote this afternoon about potential trajectories for Joe Veleno to turn into a vital piece of the Crimson Wings plan transferring ahead, and a type of paths is by turning into a specialised defensive fourth line heart. He is frolicked in that position, however taking part in with the likes of Motte and Watson would characterize a pivot towards a unique model of it and maybe a extra sustainable one. In the meantime, because the Crimson Wings look to tighten defensively, the fourth line appears an apparent space through which to emphasise that message, in order that development feels in step with the acknowledged path towards improved outcomes.

That success, after all, raises the query of Watson and his PTO. Strictly talking, there is not a roster spot for him, however…maybe one may very well be made. Then, the query turns into simply how a lot would Detroit be keen to threat or pay (whether or not through waivers or a commerce) to open up a spot for Watson. He matches a profile the Crimson Wings do not have, nevertheless it’s not as if the workforce is starved for choices to play the wing on the fourth line.