The Detroit Red Wings took on the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight and picked up a 6-3 win for their third straight win. Here are some Red Wings takeaways from tonight’s victory over the Penguins.
DeBrincat has changed everything
Alex DeBrincat tonight scored his fourth and fifth goal in his fourth game as a member of the Red Wings, and he really could be the first 40-goal scorer the Red Wings have had since 2008-09 when Marian Hossa scored 40. Every time DeBrincat steps on the ice, something good seems to happen. It’s been four games, and he’s making it seem like the Red Wings trading for him in the offseason and giving him a contract extension will be worth every penny.
Gostisbehere may need to be extended
In the offseason, the Red Wings signed Shayne Gostisbehere to a one-year contract. He’s made that deal look great so far to this point, and although it’s only four games into his tenure, the kind of play he provides on both sides of the ice id like to, and I can see him being a part of the “core” that Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman talked about assembling in the offseason. Through his first four games, he has four points coming on a goal and three assists, and he is a plus-two. Gostisbehere has also been a critical piece to the Red Wings’ penalty kill, allowing only two goals on 15 penalty kill opportunities.
Defense is offensively on fire
To start the season, the defense has combined to take 20 shots, scored two goals, and added seven assists. Tonight was no different as they combined for a goal and three assists on nine shots; Jeff Petry led the way with two assists. It’s nice to see such a unit firing on all cylinders to start the 2023-24 season.
Power-Play Hot Start
To start the season, entering tonight, the Red Wings were 4/10 on the man advantage for 40%, which ranked tied for first in the league with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and tonight they went 1/2 to improve their percentage to 41.6%. Dylan Larkin, Andrew Copp, Robby Fabbri, Alex DeBrincat, and David Perron all have one.
Coop loves facing Pittsburgh
In his career against Pittsburgh, he has played in 24 games, including tonight, recorded 18 points, coming on nine goals and nine assists, and is a +11. Tonight, he found the back of the net twice.
Husso continues to impress
Ville Husso last season looked great and like a solid number one until the final ten or so games of the season, which brought the question of can he could handle the number of games of a starter, but it turns out he was dealing with an injury. To start the season, he has looked solid, and tonight was no different as he stopped 29 shots on 32 total shots. The first goal, which Evgeni Malkin scored, wasn’t on him as he was left hung out to dry. The second goal was challenging as both Detroit defenseman and Bryan Rust screened him. The third goal was difficult. Husso is now 2-1-0 to start the year and has stopped 73 of 83 shots in three games.
Third Period Relaxed
Last season, when the Red Wings had the lead after 40, they sat back and relaxed, and it came back to haunt them on multiple locations tonight; that was almost the case as the Penguins scored two goals to make it much closer than it should have been. In the future, the Red Wings need to keep their foot on the gas in the third period if they’re up entering the final 20 minutes.
Next Up:
Next up for the Detroit Red Wings, they will renew the rivalry that was started last season when they take on the Ottawa Senators on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 in Ottawa.
ITR 31: Let Them Fight – Inside The Rink
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