MLive’s Ansar Khan has already filed his game-day notebook article, discussing the fact that Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider have risen to face and conquer the challenges with which the 82-game NHL schedule presents them:
The Red Wings (8-9-3) face the St. Louis Blues (10-6-2) tonight at Little Caesars Arena (7:30, Bally Sports Detroit Plus). Detroit is winless in four (0-3-1) but hopes a three-day break after playing 20 games in 38 days will re-energize the team.
“I thought our whole team kind of petered out a little bit as (the trip) went along,” [Red Wings coach Jeff] Blashill said. “Certainly, our young players would have been in that mix. I think one of the most important things you have to do in the NHL is learning how to play when you’re tired and you don’t have your legs and how to play smart. I think that helps some of our young players, certainly Seider and Raymond are both smart players, so they can help manage it. But it’s hard to be dynamic when you don’t have your legs. You’re kind of finding ways to equal shifts instead of really attacking. It’s part of the learning process.”
Raymond (seven goals, 12 assist) leads the Red Wings and all NHL rookies with 19 points. Seider (two goals, 11 assists) is second among league rookies with 13 points. Raymond, 19, played only 44 games last season in Sweden, between league play and tournaments, in a season cut short due to elbow surgery. Seider appeared in 61 games between his season in Sweden and international events with Germany.
“Of course, it’s a lot of games (this season), but it’s fun as well,” Raymond said. “Everyone wants to play games. But of course, it’s an intense schedule and especially we have had a lot of games compared to other teams, but I think we just got to accept it, stick with and make the best of the situation.”
Taking care of yourself off the ice is vital.
“You got to get the right sleep, eat a lot, and eat good and just stay focused, not let up on your details,” Raymond said.
Continued; the fact that Raymond’s mom is a fitness coach doesn’t hurt.
