Takeaways From Detroit Red Wings Win Over Columbus

The Detroit Red Wings picked up their second straight win tonight by beating the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-0 in their only visit this season to Nationwide Arena. They have outscored their opponents 13-8 to start the season, including tonight’s game.

Michigan boys ruled the night 

The Detroit Red Wings own three former Wolverines: Dylan Larkin, J.T. Computer, and Andrew Copp. In tonight’s game, all three found the scoresheet, with Larkin and Copp scoring power-play goals, and Compher assisted Michael Rasmussen’s goal. When all three were together at Michigan, they combined for 102 points, coming on 41 goals and 61 assists. Copp was also the Captain of that team.

Power-Play Changes

On Saturday against the Lightning, the Red Wings switched lines and moved Lucas Raymond back to the first line, playing alongside Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Larkin. he replaced David Perron, who got bumped to the second line, and tonight, Perron was on the third line. On Saturday, after the lineup change, the first line contributed three goals, with DeBrincat adding two and Raymond having one; DeBrincat had an assist, but it came on a Daniel Sprong goal. The Red Wings, however, have kept the power play by having Perron on the first unit with Larkin, DeBrincat, Moritz Seider, and Shayne Gostisbehere; the team is solid, having scored four goals on nine chances, but Raymond should slide in over Perron. Perron has not recorded any points on any power-plays; Raymond assisted Copp’s goal tonight. The first unit with Raymond would provide the chemistry that seems to be there already between Larkin, Raymond, and DeBrincat; they won’t score every power-play, but that line would give them the best chance. 

Offensive Minded Defenseman 

The Red Wings had Moritz Seider, who plays excellent on both sides of the ice and is complimented well by Jake Walman. Still, with the addition of Shayne Gostisbehere, they have another as Gostisbehere added his first as a member of the Detroit Red Wings. Walman, Seider, and Olli Maatta also each added an assist tonight. 

Reimer looked stone-cold 

Reimer made his Red Wings debut, and after one game, it looks like the Red Wings may have found a solid backup for Husso. Last season, the Red Wings tried Alex Nedeljkovic and Magnus Hellberg, and it never really worked; they turned in some good outings. With Reimer, though, they added a 14-year veteran, and tonight, he stopped all 23 shots he faced for his 29th shutout of his career; he made an excellent series of stops in the first period.

Next Up:

The Detroit Red Wings will next take on Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night at Little Caesar’s Arena. Since dropping opening night’s game to Chicago, the Penguins have won two straight.