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4 Point Game Puts Rookie Lucas Raymond Alongside Red Wings Legends

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Lucas Raymond, Detroit Red Wings
In Sunday's win over Chicago, rookie Lucas Raymond became the third teenager in Detroit Red Wings franchise history with a 4-point game.

Detroit Red Wings rookie Lucas Raymond. Gordie Howe. Steve Yzerman.

It’s a short list, and one which Lucas Raymond required a double take when he saw his name was on it.

Netting a hat-trick and dishing out a helper during Sunday’s 6-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center, Detroit Red Wings rookie forward Raymond, 19, became just the third teenager in team history to collect four points in a game.

Gordie Howe and Steve Yzerman are the others to accomplish this feat in a Red Wings uniform. It was current Wings GM Yzerman who selected Raymond fourth overall in the 2020 NHL entry draft.

“It’s tough to take in,” Raymond admitted of his new-found place in Red Wings history. “Those are two of the greatest players who ever played in franchise history.

“I’m trying not to think about it that much.”

Hat-Trick History

A quick shot from the slot off a feed from Tyler Bertuzzi got Raymond’s record night underway, opening the scoring in the first period. His second goal was a hard-working tally in the second period. Raymond crashed the net to hang home a loose puck in the goal area.

“Lucas doesn’t shy away from really anything,” Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. “He’s taken some hard hits and he’s not shy at all. He’s got an edge to him for sure and he’s not shy about going to the net.”

His third goal came on a third-period Detroit power play. Raymond one-timed a feed from Dylan Larkin to complete his first NHL hat-trick. His assist came on a Bertuzzi goal that gave Detroit a 4-1 lead at the time.

Blashill sought to downplay the Raymond mania that’s developing within the Red Wings fanbase.

“Some of that is situational, some of that is opportunity,” Blashill said of Raymond’s early success. “He’s getting a hell of an opportunity. And he’s earned some of it. But No. 1, he’s in the NHL at a young age, which not a lot of guys get the chance to do. And No. 2, he’s playing with real good players on a real good line and getting important minutes.

“Obviously, he’s capitalized on that and it’s great he had the hat trick. But again, there’s opportunities that he’s getting. He’s got to make sure he does a real good job with that time and the minutes that he gets.”

Yzerman Also Netted A Hat-Trick

Yzerman recorded his four-point night on March 30, 1985 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He also counted three goals and an assist. Howe’s four-point night came on December 17, 1947, also against the Blackhawks. In Howe’s case, the game was played at Chicago Stadium. Howe collected four assists in a 7-1 Detroit victory.

Raymond is the first Red Wings rookie to post a hat-trick since Johan Garpenlov scored four goals against the St. Louis Blues on November 23, 1990. He’s the first Detroit rookie with a four-point game since Nicklas Lidstrom counted two goals and two assists, also against the Blues on November 7, 1991.

Raymond leads all NHL rookies with 4-3-7 totals. Even Raymond had to admit he’s not taken time to ponder his splendid start as an NHLer.

“I’ve only played six games in the NHL, so I’m playing on a lot of adrenaline,”Raymond said. “Everything’s new to me, so I’m trying to go out there every night and have fun and help the team win.”

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