The Detroit Red Wings are focused on reigniting their power play after an 0-for-4 performance against the Rangers extended their recent slump to 1-for-15 over the last four games.
“It just starts with our execution,” said defenseman Moritz Seider. “If we get everyone on the same page, I think we’ll be really good. We’re getting looks, but sometimes we just force plays. When you aren’t clean or can’t get in the zone, it’s tough. You waste seconds, and then you only have a minute left to hand it off to the other guys. We take a lot of responsibility and know we’ve got to be better.”
On Sunday, the Red Wings recalled forward prospect Nate Danielson from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. In four games with the Griffins this season, Danielson has recorded one goal and four assists.
“We always talk about his IQ and how he sees the game, but I think it’s only continuing to slow down for him,” Griffins head coach Dan Watson said of Danielson’s play since returning from a preseason injury. “He is a 200-foot player who is reliable and responsible in all areas.”
Meanwhile, the Chicago Blackhawks are off to a solid start under new head coach Jeff Blashill, having earned at least one point in 10 of their first 15 games. Blashill previously coached the Red Wings from 2015-22, a tenure Seider remembers well.
“He was always honest and very direct,” Seider said of his former coach. “He wasn’t afraid to be in the moment and demand that, and I really liked that. Guys really appreciated him as a human… you could always have a really honest conversation with him.”
The Blackhawks are coming off a dominant 4-0 road victory against the Calgary Flames on Friday. The win was fueled by a four-point performance from Connor Bedard (one goal, three assists) and a 33-save shutout by goaltender Spencer Knight.
Knight has been a standout this season, posting a 6-3-2 record with a 2.33 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage in 11 starts. Offensively, Bedard leads the team with 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists), followed by Tyler Bertuzzi and Andre Burakovsky, who each have 12 points.
Bedard, the first-overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, has shown significant development under the new coaching staff.
“His skills are coming out. He’s very confident playing a two-way game,” McLellan said of the young star. “I think Blash has done a really good job there with that team and with him in particular. When he exudes confidence, everybody seems to pick up on it.”
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