The Daily: Why DeBrincat Is Crucial; Nedeljkovic’s First Pens’ Win

Nobody is expecting the Detroit Red Wings to average 4.5 goals per game, but there’s no denying that the team looked more dangerous offensively in their first two games of the season. Alex DeBrincat has shown Detroit fans why he has reached the 40-goal mark twice during his career.

It’s fun to wonder how many goals DeBrincat can score playing alongside Dylan Larkin who also is a consistent scorer. Is Lucas Raymond the right third man for that line?  This is all a work in progress.

It’s clearly too early to draw any conclusions about how much more productive the Red Wings can be offensively, but it’s not too early to realize the importance of GM Steve Yzerman mission to find more goals for this team.  The DeBrincat scoring number matters greatly. The Atlantic Division is a goal-scoring division. The Lightning, evidenced again Saturday, can still score goals. The Toronto Maple Leafs are an offensive juggernaut. The Buffalo Sabres were the NHL’s third-highest scoring team. The Panthers can score.

The Red Wings were 24th in scoring last season. To make the playoffs in this division, this team has  to score more goals this season.

This Red Wings goal is a thing of beauty:

Dylan Larkin waited for Alex DeBrincat, who fired it through for his second goal of the game, and third in two game

Video: @BallySportsDET pic.twitter.com/PSZYUYZ8K3

— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) October 15, 2023

Red Wings Next game

The Dylan Larkin-led Red Wings (1-1-0)  travel to Columbus to play the Blue Jackets (1-1-0)  Monday. Columbus goalie Elvis Merzlikins left Saturday’s game with illness. His status for Monday isn’t yet known. Likewise, the Red Wings aren’t sure whether injured Robby Fabbri will be available.  The Red Wings called up Zach Aston-Reese Saturday from Grand Rapids.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Axel Sandin Pellikka has put up four goals and six points in his first 10 games this season in the Swedish Hockey League. He hasn’t been on the ice for an opposing goal.
• Lucas Raymond isn’t considered a heavy hitter, but he was in the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
• Michigan native Alex DeBrincat’s first home game as a Detroit Red Wings player was a memorable one. He netted a pair of goals, including a game-winner.

Hockey Now Network

New York: Brock Nelson’s quiet leadership still comes through loud and clear to the New York Islanders.

Pittsburgh: Former Red Wings goalie Alex Nedeljkovic got the job done for the Pittsburgh Penguins in their win against the Calgary Flames.

San Jose: Sheng Peng writes that Mackenzie Blackwood had a San Jose Sharks debut for the ages. His 51 saves against the Colorado Avalanche are the most by an NHL goalie in a debut with a new team since 1955-56,

Vegas: The Golden Knights, even with a depleted lineup, were able to defeat the Anaheim Ducks. The Vegas Golden Knights were without William Carrier, Alex Pietrangelo, Zach Whitecloud, and Alec Martinez due to injury. Brett Howden served the final game of his two-game suspension.