WINGS POSTGAME: Mission Tank accomplished
By Cameron Kuom
4 years agoThe Red Wings endless fall into the chasm that is the NHL’s basement continued with a trip to the Big Apple. Taking on the New York Rangers, this was essentially the battle of the tanks. Both teams are near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, so this wasn’t exactly a highly anticipated matchup. In fact, the Red Wings are now dead last in the NHL. Tied with Ottawa with 9 points, however, they’ve played 3 more games.
They didn’t look as bad as their record shows last night, but it still wasn’t pretty. “The Process” as Jeff Blashill so often preaches, is really being tested right now. Losing 5-1 to a fellow basement team is not a great sign.
Thoughts and Highlights
- Frans Nielsen and Jacob de la Rose were late scratches before the game. Nielsen was injury related, while de la Rose ended up being held out for precautionary reasons. Obviously, shortly after the game de la Rose was dealt to St. Louis in a trade.
- During intermission break, insider Darren Dreger came on the NBCSN broadcast with an update on the Red Wings rebuild. Dreger noted the plan is to draft high for the next two, maybe three years. Already drafting in the top ten for the past three drafts, another two or three years will test the patience of some. However, Detroit has yet to land a coveted top five pick. That will be the next step in the rebuild. They are well on their way to picking in the top five this season.
- Looking to the play on the ice, Detroit was only able to muster up one goal. Andreas Athanasiou used his pull away speed to create a two-on-zero. He fed Valtteri Fillpula who found the back of the net (in what looked to be an attempt at a pass by Fillpula, because of course).
- With an assist on the goal, Athanasiou continues his point streak against the Rangers. He now has 6 goals and 9 points in his last six games when playing the Rangers.
Gif of the Game
Mission Tank: Accomplished.
Motor City MVP
Andreas Athanasiou
Athanasiou was flying last night at Madison Square Garden. He was the Red Wings most dangerous player, as evident by the goal he created with his pure speed. Its something about the Rangers with Double-A. He always seems to find that next gear against them. As previously mentioned he has a six game point streak when facing them, with 6 goals and 9 points over that span.
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