Detroit Red Wings at Ottawa Senators: Recap, Grades & Opinions
Key Takeaways From the Game:
- Expected but Ineffective: It has come to my attention how ineffective Tatar and Nyquist are together. Both are not producing like they should. On one hand, there’s Tatar who makes one too many moves on every play, when instead he can just shoot the puck. Then there’s Nyquist who has just stalled all together. The sudden drop off of production from him is peculiar in terms of his ability. Perhaps he is just snakebitten…
- Double A Battery: Blashill has not been utilizing Athanasiou’s speed and skill that could be used on one of the slower lines. He has beengiven such a select amount of ice time, yet he still performs and makes a difference. He played a grand total of 6 minutes and 54 seconds tonight, and had a goal (almost 2). His speed opens up the ice and makes entries easier for the Wings when they are struggling most. Athanasiou deserves a promotion to a higher line with more TOI, and downgrade someone like Nyquist who isn’t producing at all with the time he is given. Unrealistic to believe it would actually occur, but one can hope.
- Defensive Pairs: The defense appeared much more solidified tonight than they did on Thursday night. The pair shuffling made me happy, because I have been waiting for awhile. I never liked the original pairs that Blashill rolled with on the daily because:
- Put similar types together on the same pairing. Smith+Green= 2 offensively-minded defensemen: Ouellet+Marchenko= 2 Rookies.
- These similarities caused an imbalance throughout the defensive group because it bulks the strengths (and weaknesses in a sense) together; rather than spreading them out on different pairs with depth in mind. Bigger issues will arise when Kronwall and Ericsson return: who goes in and who goes to the bench/back to Grand Rapids?
Next: Red Wings Look to avoid winless road trip
The Red Wings finish their road trip at the New York Rangers on Sunday night.