The Free Press’s Helene St. James posted a short article discussing the Red Wings’ attempts to turn the ship around over the past 5 games:
“I think we’re getting back to our game, the way we’re supposed to play,” Raymond said after scoring in overtime Wednesday. “Goaltending has been a huge part of that. I just think we found our game – we play with more pace, play on the same page and are getting results off of that.”
The Wings beat the Flames, 2-1, when Raymond converted on a power play with 1:25 left in the extra period. It was a deserved pair of points: Alex DeBrincat had converted on a power play in the first period, and the Wings were minutes from a shutout when a fourth trip to the penalty box proved too much. But all in all, it was a performance upon which to build.
“We were on top of our game,” coach Derek Lalonde said. “It was a good game.”
Since that trip to California earlier this month, when the Wings gave up 15 goals in three losses, they’ve surrendered only six goals the last four games. They’ve scored nine goals in that span, with Raymond responsible for four of them; the guy the Wings desperately need to start finding the net is Vladimir Tarasenko, whose eight-goal pace is a paltry return on his $4.75 million salary. But, considering how badly things went in California, the goals-against is something to value.
“The stretch of late, three of four, we’ve taken points in four of five, it’s been about keeping it out of our net,” Lalonde said. “We’ve given up six goals and it just gives us an opportunity. Good buy-in from our guys. It’s a really good win. We’ll have a nice day on Thanksgiving and try to keep it going on Friday.”
Continued (paywall)
