Tuesday night in Pittsburgh, the Red Wings scored a 2-1 victory over the host Penguins on the strength of a late winner from 2023 first round draft pick Nate Danielson. Danieslon took advantage of a transition opportunity to drive the net and convert for the game-winner off an assist from 2024’s first rounder, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard:
Beyond that optimism garnered by that youthful Danielson-Brandsegg-Nygard combination for the game winner and the result itself, here are three notes from Detroit’s performance:
Husso Impresses
At this stage of the (pre-)season, Ville Husso’s biggest priority is re-gaining the trust of the Red Wings’ coaching staff. With his performance Tuesday, he did strong work toward that end, as he was the unambiguous standout in an altogether strong Detroit performance.
Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Husso opened with a perfect 14 saves on 14 shots in the first period. He conceded early in the second, but that came only after a strong save in tight, before Rickard Rakell was able to bury a rebound. He would ultimately punctuate his night with a number of strong stops on high-danger Penguin looks in the third period, including a desperate net-front scramble with a minute to play. Perhaps most important of all for Husso is that he went a full 60 minutes healthy, consistent, and stingy.
By night’s end, he made an outstanding 43 saves on 44 shots, against a Pittsburgh lineup that featured its fair share of prospective AHLers but also Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang. As ever, the “it’s only pre-season” caveat applies, but it would be hard to ask for a stronger or more encouraging performance from Husso as the regular season beckons.
Lombardi Scores, Grinds
Amadeus Lombardi had a strong performance for Detroit. The highlight was a goal, scored after an assertive cut inside, then ripped shot past Tristan Jarry. In a pre-season defined by talent and experience disparities, it’s worth noting Jarry’s status as an established NHL netminder. There’s no doubting Lombardi’s speed or stick-handling, but there is some question as to his abilities to deploy those skills in the NHL. This goal is a great example of what you’d like to see even more of from Lombardi: driving offense into the slot for high-danger chances. If he can make a habit of that, he can surely contribute at the NHL level.
The Red Wings shuffled lines somewhat liberally Tuesday night, but a few shifts saw Lombardi alongside Elmer Soderblom and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard. It was nice to see that trio apply some forechecking pressure together, even if it didn’t yield a goal. That’s right up Brandsegg-Nygard’s alley, but it’s another area where Soderblom and Lombardi have room for growth. None of that trio has an especially realistic place at an NHL roster spot for the time being, but if Brandsegg-Nygard opts to stick around North America, it could be a fun line for the Griffins this year in Grand Rapids.
Motte-Veleno-Watson Previews Re-Defined Fourth Line
In the Tyler Motte, Joe Veleno, and Austin Watson triumvirate, coach Derek Lalonde offered a decently realistic preview of the Red Wings fourth line come October 10th. Veleno would be the sole holdover from last year’s fourth line, but the introduction of the industrious, tight checking Motte and simple, physical Watson represents a clear change of direction from last year’s fourth line mainstays Robby Fabbri and Daniel Sprong.
I wrote this afternoon about potential trajectories for Joe Veleno to become an essential piece of the Red Wings plan moving forward, and one of those paths is by becoming a specialized defensive fourth line center. He’s spent time in that role, but playing with the likes of Motte and Watson would represent a pivot toward a different version of it and perhaps a more sustainable one. Meanwhile, as the Red Wings look to tighten defensively, the fourth line seems an obvious area in which to emphasize that message, so that construction feels consistent with the stated path toward improved results.
That success, of course, raises the question of Watson and his PTO. Strictly speaking, there isn’t a roster spot for him, but…perhaps one could be made. Then, the question becomes just how much would Detroit be willing to risk or pay (whether via waivers or a trade) to open up a place for Watson. He fits a profile the Red Wings don’t have, but it’s not as though the team is starved for options to play the wing on the fourth line.
Also from THN Detroit
Where Does Veleno Fit in for the Red Wings?
Patience and Promise for Red Wings First-Round Pick
Three Takeaways from Red Wings’ 5-1 Preseason Loss to Pittsburgh
Red Wings Prospects Progress, though NHL Roster Spots Remain a Challenge
What Should Sebastian Cossa Learn from this Preseason?
Three Takeaways from the Red Wings’ 2-0 Win Over Chicago
Locked in Another Goalie Battle, Alex Lyon Equipped for High Workload
“It’s Just a Matter of Time for Him”: Danielson Proving NHL Question is about When, Not If
