Among Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen’s post-game notes is the following observation regarding the Wings’ best line of late:
As the Detroit Red Wings seem to be bottoming out, the line of Joe Veleno, Marco Kasper and Jonatan Berggren is discovering they can play well together.
The trio has Detroit’s only goal over the past two games, and the line generated three shots on goal in the 4-0 loss to St. Louis. Even with the Monday shutout, Veleno has three goals in four games. The line was not on the ice for any goals-against.
“We talk about getting out-competed a little in Montreal, those guys did not,” coach Derek Lalonde said. “Joe Veleno, Marco Kasper, Berggren, that was an excellent line. It was an excellent line with our underlying numbers, it was an excellent line with them scoring. They worked. I think Joe has done that the last couple games and I think he’s been rewarded for it with some offense.”
Continued; Kasper, Berggren and Veleno have played with confidence, poise and even physicality over the course of the past three games.
While it’s no surprise that Kasper’s led the way in terms of work ethic, Berggren’s pluck and Veleno’s physicality have surprised in a very positive way.
