MLive’s Ansar Khan wonders aloud whether the Red Wings’ decision to hire coach Todd McLellan is in fact the x-factor or “difference-maker” who will power the team to a playoff berth over the course of a full season in Detroit:
“When he came in, he challenged us a lot,” Dylan Larkin said. “And every time he challenged us, we seem to rise to the challenge and do what we talked about when he came in, He’s already challenged us in camp and I hope we’re going to hit the ground running. We have important games right off the bat.”
The Red Wings open the season Thursday at home against the Montreal Canadiens (7 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network), who earned the second wild card spot last season. Their first five games are against Atlantic Division opponents.
Players noted the difference in camp this year.
“A lot of walk-throughs, a lot of details, and very demanding,” Moritz Seider said. “But I think that’s exactly what we need right now. We need structure. We need people to tell us where to be in certain spots. And I thought the coaching staff is doing a great job of providing that. There’s always a purpose behind it, and it kind of translates into the game.”
McLellan puts faith in younger players. Marco Kasper and Albert Johansson were struggling as rookies before he arrived. They flourished in the second half.
Patrick Kane was also rejuvenated.
“Playing aggressive I think is one of the things that really changed under him,” Kane said. “Kind of getting our D up in the play on the forecheck, making sure we have a third guy high, backing each other up all over the ice, and also having that shoot-first mentality.”
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