Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider was insightful and prophetic when he told Bally Sports analyst Mickey Redmond recently that Connor McDavid is the most challenging player he has faced during his young career.

The interview, recorded earlier, aired Tuesday as McDavid was putting up six assists to carry the Oilers to an 8-4 triumph against the Detroit Red Wings. It was the second time in McDavid’s career he posted six assists.

Seider was -4 in the game and McDavid stole the puck from him to set-up a goal for one of his assists.

“I think we were just giving too much time and space,” Detroit center Joe Veleno told Bally Sports. ” Obviously they got a lot of skill players out there. If we don’t manage the puck, if we don’t win our battles, if we let them have possession of the puck, then they got some players that can make plays. They’re a quick team in transition. They got a lot of speed and I thought we just let off our foot on the gas a little bit and they capitalized most of all of their opportunities that they had around the net.”

Connor McDavid of the @EdmontonOilers is the first NHL player to have 6+ assists in a game where his team didn't have a single power-play opportunity since Don Grosso did so for the Red Wings against the Rangers on February 3, 1944. pic.twitter.com/tkX4Bk1roN

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) February 14, 2024

Third Period Explosion

The Oilers scored five goals in the third as the Red Wings gave up eight goals to an opponent for the first time this season. They had given up six goals four times this season.

It was a disappointing start to a  four-game Western road trip that also includes games in Vancouver, Calgary and Seattle. The Red Wings, given how well they have been playing,  undoubtedly are hoping to earn six points on this trip

This is a Red Wings team that had given up three or fewer goals in 12 of their last 14 goals coming into the game.

“It’s going to be a very frustrating game to watch back because we did some good things,” Coach Derek Lalonde said. “We got to 3-3, probably had the majority of the play.”

The Red Wings scored a pair of power play goals, with Patrick Kane chipping in a goal and an assist, to tie the game 3-3 going into the third. But then Detroit’s defensive coverage was marked by lapses. The team gave up too many high danger scoring chances. Alex Lyon, who replaced the injured Ville Husso in the first period, wasn’t as sharp as he has been during Detroit’s January surge.

The loss is a reminder that the Red Wings’ hold on a playoff spot is tentative.

While the Red Wings were suffering one of their most difficult losses of the season, the New Jersey Devils, Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs were both winning. That leaves Detroit holding the last Eastern Conference wild card spot by a two-point lead over New Jersey. Toronto, holding the other wild card position, is two points ahead of Detroit. The Red Wings now trail third place Tampa Bay by three points for third place in the Atlantic Division.

The post McDavid Puts Up Six Assists in 8-4 Triumph Against Red Wings appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

As they ready to face the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday for the second time this season, the Detroit Red Wings will be launching a tough four-game road trip with a date against the NHL’s best player.

No, they aren’t talking about stopping Connor McDavid, because that would be patently ridiculous. You don’t completely shut down the NHL’s most skilled talent. However, they do believe that they can contain the damage McDavid is capable of inflicting upon them.

Five-time Art Ross Trophy winner McDavid is fourth in NHL scoring with 21-50-71 totals. However, it’s worth noting that he’s played at least six games fewer than each of the three players ahead of him. McDavid’s 1.09 assists per game ratio leads the league.

The post Red Wings Discuss Containing McDavid (+) appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

NHL.com asked Sidney Crosby whether Connor McDavid could put 170 points this season and he wouldn’t rule it out.

“I mean, I didn’t think 150 was going to be in the cards for him but he found a way to get there,” Crosby told Mike Zeisberger of NHL.com. “So, I don’t think anything is out of the question for him as far as numbers are concerned…He just finds a way to find another level time and time again, so I would never bet against him.”

McDavid’s 153 points last season were the most by any player since Mario Lemieux registered 161 in 1995-96. No player has accumulated 170 or more since Lemieux had 199 in 1988-89.

To put that into perspective for Red Wings fans, the franchise hasn’t boasted a 100-point scorer since 1995-96 when Sergei Fedorov totaled 107 in 1995-96. Fedorov, Steve Yzerman, Gordie Howe, Marcel Dionne and John Ogrodnick are the only players in Red Wings’ history to put up 100 or more points. Last season, Dylan Larkin led the Red Wings with 79 points

Red Wings’ Next Game

Thursday at Washington. The Red Wings have today off. No practices.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Bob Duff writes that Nate Danielson is impressive in his preseason debut with the Red Wings.
• Michael Rasmussen has no problem playing on the wing if that is best for the team.
• Alex DeBrincat and Shayne Gostisbehere show how they can help Detroit’s power play.
• Red Wings need more out of Jonatan Berggren

Hockey Now Network

Buffalo: Forward Victor Olofsson enters this season in limbo with the Buffalo Sabres.

Chicago: Can Arizona Coyotes rookie Logan Cooley challenge Connor Bedard for the Calder Trophy? Chicago Blackhawks

New Jersey: Goalie Cory Schneider is retiring from the NHL. New Jersey Devils.

Pittsburgh: The Penguins put Mark Pysyk on the long-term injury list. He was in camp on a PTO. He signed with Detroit last season, and then suffered a long-term injury. Pittsburgh Penguins.

San Jose: Sheng Peng writes top prospects William Eklund and  Shakir Mukhamadullin look good in 4-2 loss to Anaheim Mighty Ducks. San Jose Sharks. 

The post The Daily: Can McDavid Hit 170?; Cooley vs. Bedard for Calder appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman brought up an interesting point during his latest written installment of 32 Thoughts. It involved former Detroit Red Wings stars Steve Yzerman and Sergei Fedorov, and shows just how good they were.

When looking at the playoff load that Connor McDavid is carrying for Edmonton, it’s significant. Friedman listed the players who have logged beyond or around the 22:28 average ice time that McDavid has logged so far. It’s a who’s who of stars, from Rod Brind’Amour (23:52 in 2006 at age 35) to Mike Modano (24:40 in 1999 at age 28).

Yzerman and Fedorov? The Captain (age 33) skated an average of 22:41 in 1998, the season the Red Wings won their second consecutive Cup. Yzerman would also snag the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Fedorov (age 32) averaged 22:20 in 2002, the same year Yzerman was limited by a knee injury. The Red Wings won the Cup  that season as well.

Detroit’s Championship Teams Relied Heavily on Yzerman and Fedorov

During the season where Yzerman was hobbled by a bad knee, he still logged 21:22 of average ice time. Looking back at his lack of mobility, it’s incredible to think he was essentially skating on one knee through the duration of the playoffs. It’s also an effort that any hockey fan appreciates–Red Wings or not.

When looking at Fedorov’s average ice time and how heavily Detroit relied upon him during their championship years, it’s staggering.  In the season where Detroit bowed out to Anaheim in four games, Fedorov led all Red Wings forwards with 22:07 of average ice time. What’s more stunning in all of it is that Fedorov’s number still isn’t retired.

To expound further, the league was far more physical than it is now. Open ice checking as well as vicious shots were encouraged. Clutching and grabbing ruled the game, making goals and dazzling highlights all that more impressive.

This isn’t to take away from what McDavid has been tasked with. He’s in a much faster, even more skill based league that is exhausting in its own right.

The ice time logged by any of the players, regardless of generation, is impressive.

What if the Red Wings Take the Next Step Season?

Bringing it to the current day, which Red Wings forwards seem likely to have high minutes? Dylan Larkin seems a foregone conclusion, his motor one that is similar to that of Yzerman’s. Tyler Bertuzzi would be right behind him, a player whose type of play is the kind needed in the playoffs. Rough and tumble and disruptive, Bertuzzi logging big minutes would be a thorn in the side of most teams.

Finally, Lucas Raymond seems a likely candidate. In his first NHL season, he logged an average of 18:08 and seemed to always be making some type of contribution on the ice, be it offensive or defensive. He’s the type of player, especially as he gets older, that a coach would lean on heavily.

Watching McDavid has certainly been something to behold this playoff season. It’s sweet for Red Wings fans to see the comparison to legends like Yzerman and Fedorov.

It’ll be sweeter when the current roster’s rising stars are the ones logging the minutes in a future playoff run.

The post McDavid’s On Ice Presence Reminds of Red Wings’ Yzerman & Fedorov appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The NHL and NHLPA announced Wednesday that NHL players will not go to Beijing and participate in the Winter Olympics. This will be the second straight Winter Games in which NHLers have not been able to play for their country on what many consider the grandest stage.

“Our focus and goal have been and must remain to responsibly and safely complete the entirety of the NHL regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs in a timely manner,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a press release Wednesday. “Therefore, with stringent health protocols once again in place, we will begin utilizing available dates during the Feb. 6-22 window (originally contemplated to accommodate Olympic participation) to reschedule games that have been, or may yet be, postponed.”

National Hockey Now has confirmed that this decision was not only a difficult one for all involved but that it has also caused some internal strife within the NHLPA.

“There’s definitely some major division within the PA ranks right now,” an NHL player agent told NHN. “Some feel that with how hard the union fought to play in these Olympics that others capitulated like they always seem to do with the league. I think we all get the gravity of COVID and health concerns but are the players going if we had lightened protocol?”

The post OTR: NHLers Not Going To Olympics But Plenty Of Pushback | DHN + appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The defensive approach to dealing with the Edmonton Oilers’ dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl centers on the understanding of a simple truth.

“If they have the puck the whole night, it’s a hard night,” Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said.

The Red Wings will be looking to play keep-away against Connor McDavid and Draisaitl tonight when they face off at Little Caesars Arena at 7:30 p.m. (Bally Sports).  Few teams have been successful against the twosome this season. Draisaitl has 23 points and McDavid 22 in the Oilers’ 9-1 start.

“They continue to get better and you can see it with the record Edmonton has,” Blashill said.

Draisaitl registered10 points in his past three games, while McDavid has a point in every game the Oilers have played. In those 10 games, he has registered one point twice, two points four times, and three points four times. Recently, he went through four New York Rangers to score a spectacular goal that was the talk of the hockey world.

CONNOR. MCDAVID.

WHAT. A. GOAL. pic.twitter.com/ujq0WeMSbw

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 6, 2021

“It’s having the awareness to see the gap there,” Detroit’s Sam Gagner said about the goal. “He waits for guys to get onside and then he sees the opening. It’s one thing to see the opening. It’s another thing to be able to take two crossovers and be through it.”

McDavid Rockets Up the Ice

McDavid’s speed separates him from everyone else in the league. When he shifts into fifth gear, he’s like a Lamborghini on a road full of jalopies.

“There’s a lot of guys with speed in the league but it’s his processing speed that kind of sets him apart from everybody, and his drive,” said Gagner who was McDavid’s teammate in Edmonton before coming to Detroit. “He’s a one-of-a-kind player. I don’t think we’ve seen anybody like him in the NHL. ”

The Oilers have scored five or more goals seven times this season. The Flyers are the only team to beat them.

The Red Wings won’t be trying to shut down McDavid tonight as much as they will be attempting to limit the damage he inflicts. Blashill said the Red Wings have to make McDavid and Draisaitl defend. They can’t score if the Red Wings have the puck. The Oilers have been using Draisaitl on McDavid’s left wing. Jesse Puljujarvi is on the right wing.

“(McDavid) is the best player in the league and he’s going to create chances,” Gagner said. “The more you can take away…we want to go into this game with a certain level of respect, but at the same time we’re building something here as well.”

Blashill said he doesn’t mind a best-on-best matchup. Dylan Larkin at least has the speed to be competitive with McDavid.

“If (Dylan Larkin’s) line is out against them I have no worries in any of those three players,” Blashill said. “(Tyler Bertuzzi, Larks or (Lucas) Raymond. Lucas is young but he’s a very good two-way player, smart.”

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