JUST IN: Red Wings Coomes Up with Shocking Changes in Lineup to Boost Offence Following a Great Decline in Scoring by the Team…
It’s difficult to assess the Red Wings’ defensive play this preseason, as the lineups feature a mix of veterans, PTO players, and prospects not quite ready for the NHL. However, head coach Derek Lalonde fielded a lineup Thursday that resembles what fans can expect on opening night against the Penguins. He was generally pleased with the team’s defensive structure, with the Red Wings aiming to allow two or fewer goals per game this season.
“I don’t think we gave up a whole lot tonight,” Lalonde commented after a 2-0 loss to the Maple Leafs. He noted that while the defensive play was solid, they need to generate more intensity to create scoring opportunities.
Despite the loss, the Red Wings have focused on improving their defensive game from the start of training camp. Lalonde emphasized the importance of structure, though he acknowledged that turnovers and puck management were the source of some good scoring chances for the Leafs.
The defense on Thursday included Moritz Seider, Simon Edvinsson, Ben Chiarot, Jeff Petry, Olli Maatta, and Justin Holl, with Erik Gustafsson expected to replace Holl on opening night. The team may carry seven or eight defensemen, with rookie Albert Johansson also vying for a spot.
There is some debate over whether the Red Wings might send Holl to the minors, potentially clearing waivers due to his salary, which would allow them to keep a young forward like Marco Kasper on the roster.
Forward Michael Rasmussen believes the team is united in their commitment to improved defense, a key area where they struggled last season. “We’re all on the same page in terms of knowing the systems and what’s expected,” Rasmussen said, referring to defensive responsibilities in all zones.
Goaltending could also contribute to the team’s improved defense, with Cam Talbot, Alex Lyon, and Ville Husso all boasting goals-against averages of 2.02 or better in preseason. Lalonde praised Talbot’s performance against Toronto, describing him as calm and steady in goal.
Reducing their goals-against average below 3.00 will help, but the Red Wings must ensure their offensive output doesn’t decline. Improved defense alone won’t be enough if their scoring fails to keep pace.
