Four most exciting to watch tonight at the first Detroit Red Wings preseason game
Photo credit: NHL
The game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks in the preseason, which will take place tonight, is shrouded in anticipation and excitement.
Here are the four key things to watch based on Kaitlyn Glaza's insights:
1. Albert Johansson's Progress
Johansson has quietly flown under the radar since the Wings drafted him in 2019. He's a dynamic two-way D-man who knows his own game and drives play, plays big, and exudes confidence. He sees open ice and players, and his passing is a revelation when his line-mates anticipate his crosses. He's at his best alongside calm defensive partners and can add a subtle element of nastiness to defenders' games, although his play is far from nasty. Over time, he could be an important part of the centrepiece of Detroit's blue line.
Johansson has quietly flown under the radar since the Wings drafted him in 2019. He's a dynamic two-way D-man who knows his own game and drives play, plays big, and exudes confidence. He sees open ice and players, and his passing is a revelation when his line-mates anticipate his crosses. He's at his best alongside calm defensive partners and can add a subtle element of nastiness to defenders' games, although his play is far from nasty. Over time, he could be an important part of the centrepiece of Detroit's blue line.
2. The Larkin-DeBrincat-Raymond Line
If this top line catches fire well, the Red Wings have a potential game-changer. We glimmered before zooming off last season High-end talent is rare, so the challenge will be to recapture that spark Larkin is a natural leader, and I like what Trevor was able to do when he played with him in the Stanley Cup run. He's a dynamic player. DeBrincat has the it factor; last year he had 41 points in only 27 games with the Blackhawks. And Raymond, we hear, is a battler with some high-end playmaking ability. Headlining the starting line-up for the Red Wings on the road in preseason! That will be fun. I like that they have all three of them up top together.
If this top line catches fire well, the Red Wings have a potential game-changer. We glimmered before zooming off last season High-end talent is rare, so the challenge will be to recapture that spark Larkin is a natural leader, and I like what Trevor was able to do when he played with him in the Stanley Cup run. He's a dynamic player. DeBrincat has the it factor; last year he had 41 points in only 27 games with the Blackhawks. And Raymond, we hear, is a battler with some high-end playmaking ability. Headlining the starting line-up for the Red Wings on the road in preseason! That will be fun. I like that they have all three of them up top together.
3. The F.U.N. Line (Finnie-Lombardi-Mazur)
The fourth line, topped by youthful dynamos Emmitt Finnie, Amadeus Lombardi and Carter Mazur, adds life, energy, bravura. These deke-happy, heads-up speedsters with some real wickedness in their shots can create a lot of upside, provided they play often enough together so chemistry kicks in.
The fourth line, topped by youthful dynamos Emmitt Finnie, Amadeus Lombardi and Carter Mazur, adds life, energy, bravura. These deke-happy, heads-up speedsters with some real wickedness in their shots can create a lot of upside, provided they play often enough together so chemistry kicks in.
4. The Söderblom-Kasper-Brandsegg-Nygård Line
It's this third line that has a chance to be a sleeper, though. Rookies Elmer Söderblom, Marco Kasper and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård bring puck skills, work ethic and defensive responsibility combined with a lethal shot. Yes, they are small but for a line to play frequently on the top two lines at some point this season, they may be the men for the job, given the opportunity.
It's this third line that has a chance to be a sleeper, though. Rookies Elmer Söderblom, Marco Kasper and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård bring puck skills, work ethic and defensive responsibility combined with a lethal shot. Yes, they are small but for a line to play frequently on the top two lines at some point this season, they may be the men for the job, given the opportunity.
These two main plotlines help to make even a preseason game exciting, with lots of players playing to make the regular-season roster. I am curious how all these different groupings will work together tonight! What about you?
| POLL | ||
25 SEPTEMBRE | 23 ANSWERS Four most exciting to watch tonight at the first Detroit Red Wings preseason game Do you think Marco Kasper can make the Detroit Red Wings team? | ||
| Yes | 16 | 69.6 % |
| No | 7 | 30.4 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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