Ahead of tonight’s game against Toronto (7 PM EDT on DetroitRedWings.com/TSN4/ESPN+), DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills spoke with coach Derek Lalonde and coach Christian Fischer about the team’s mentality coming off their 4-3 OT loss to Ottawa, and looking forward:
“For whatever reason, Ottawa is a big rivalry,” Christian Fischer said. “Honestly, I don’t think too many guys mind it. Preseason, I think it’s good to get those emotions back. There’s going to be 82 games of that type of emotion. It’s nice to get a little feistiness in the game and show that fire.”
Fischer said he believes the value of the preseason differs for each player, but everyone benefits from experiencing game-like situations ahead of the regular season.
“The main thing is just getting going and getting up to speed,” Fischer said. “Obviously your habits and stuff get going, but just the emotion, competitiveness and energy that comes with Game 1. I still remember the feeling from our home opener last year, and how fun that was.”
And beyond preparing for the upcoming campaign, Detroit’s Training Camp has been an opportunity for players to set the compete level they want to have all season long.
“Every team wants to be competitive, and everybody is, but I think our identity as a team,” Fischer said about what he hopes the Red Wings carry from camp into this season. “We have very different types of players from every which way. When we’re all on our game, the word that comes to my mind is relentless. When we’re all nonstop and staying above guys, checking and forechecking, when every line is playing their role correctly, we’re a really good team.”
Continued; the Wings will indeed have to play relentless hockey to battle their way into a playoff spot this upcoming season.
