The Detroit Red Wings picked up a big and much-needed win over the Columbus Blue Jackets this afternoon. They put up 5+ goals for the sixth time this season in the 5-4 win.
Red Wings Come Out Firing
The Red Wings came out quick in this one as they scored first for the first time in their last eight games, and in the first five minutes, they looked like a different team with goals from Lucas Raymond and Robby Fabbri, but it didn’t last as Columbus would even the game.
DeBrincat On The Board
Alex DeBrincat finally scored a goal for the first time since October 24, which makes it eight games since his last goal. He started red hot but had cooled off as of late, which coincides with Detroit’s hot start and how they’ve cooled off as of late.
Need Fabbri Healthy
Playing in his third game of the season, Fabbri scored two goals (the second may change); it was his second and third goal of the season. Fabbri has been injury-ridden during his time with Detroit, but when he’s on the ice, he’s a difference-maker for this offense. The Red Wings need to find a way to keep him healthy at all costs.
First Defensive Unit Continues Success
Since last season, when Derek LaLonde matched up Moritz Seider and Jake Walman, they have become one of the best pairings in hockey, and they had their fingerprints all over this game on the defensive side of the puck and the offensive side. Walman had an assist or a goal, depending on what the ruling ends up being on the Fabbri goal.
Goaltending Issues
For the eighth game, the Red Wings allowed four or more goals; in those games, they were 3-4-1. Husso has played in all but one of those games, and today, he allowed four goals on 17 shots. It may be time to give Alex Lyon a look and see what you have from him. Husso is solid and keeps you in games, but in games, the offense doesn’t have it and can only manage 2-3 goals; you need a goalie who can allow that to stand up; the offense can’t put up 5+ every game. Last season, in the first 3/4, Husso did that, but since then, it’s been rough.
Next Up:
Detroit won’t return to the ice until Thursday as they are traveling to Sweden and will take on the Ottawa Senators on Thursday with a matinee start time set for 1:00 PM.
