As we prepare for Saturday’s Stadium Series at Ohio Stadium (6 PM EST on ESPN/TVA Sports/97.1 FM), we have to be aware of the fact that it’s the Blue Jackets’ party, and the NHL is going to be promoting Columbus’ franchise for the most part.
Sure, the Red Wings can wreck the party by winning on Saturday, but the NHL and the assembled media corps have emphasized how well Columbus is doing, how they’re the “Feel-good Story Of the Year,” etc. etc.
Even NHL.com’s “EDGE Stats” for this evening offer 3 notes about the Blue Jackets, praising Zach Werenski, Kirill Marchenko, and the Blue Jackets’ “center depth,” but they did squeeze in a few Red Wings-related stats, including this one:
Raymond’s midrange goals
Since Jan. 1, Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond leads all players from either team taking part in the NHL Stadium Series in points (25 in 21 games; tied for ninth in League over span). Raymond leads Detroit in points (63) and assists (41) this season, and his 82 points (35 goals, 47 assists) in 82 games during the 2024 calendar year marked the most by a Red Wings skater in a calendar year since Pavel Datsyuk in 2009 (86 in 86 games).
Per NHL EDGE stats, Raymond is tied with Artemi Panarin of the New York Rangers for League lead in midrange goals (14) and ranks in the 96th percentile in midrange shots on goal (63). Each of those marks already exceeds his outputs from 82 games last season (nine midrange goals on 48 midrange shots on goal).
The Wings’ power play also got a plug…
Detroit’s power-play success
Red Wings have seen a spark from their in-season coaching change and have a chance to end their eight-season playoff drought. Since replacing Derek Lalonde with Todd McLellan, the Red Wings are 17-5-2 since Dec. 27, tied for the second-best points percentage (.750) in the League over that span, and have the best power-play percentage (38.4).
Per NHL EDGE stats, Detroit’s offensive zone time percentage on the power play (62.8) is second best in the League behind the Vegas Golden Knights (62.9 percent). Only nine NHL players have had at least 12 power-play points since the NHL’s holiday break (when Detroit made its coaching change); five of them play on the Red Wings’ first power-play unit: forwards Raymond (15; leads League in span), Patrick Kane (14; second), Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat and defenseman Moritz Seider (12 each; tied for sixth).
Again, the article continues with rave reviews for the Blue Jackets’ players…
