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Detroit Red Wings

The Daily: Dam Breaks For Copp; Nedeljkovic Receives A+ Grade

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3 months ago

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Andrew Copp, Red Wings

Coaches are always talking about the need for consistency from players and teams. But the truth is it is sports unpredictability that keeps us entertained. How do you explain Detroit Red Wings player Andrew Copp goes 26 games without a goal and then scores a goal in three consecutive games?

Hockey Now’s Tim Robinson wrote about Copp netting the game-winner Sunday in a meaningful 4-2 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs. That put Detroit in a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. That’s significant for a team that has missed the postseason seven consecutive season.

“Probably one of the craziest regular-season wins I’ve ever been a part of with the last 24 hours, engine going down and the whole nine yards,” Copp said. ” Awesome win for the team.”

The Red Wings didn’t show up for the game until 6 p.m. because the plane had engine problems when they tried to leave Saturday.

Copp’s slump drew attention in Detroit. Twenty-six games are almost one-third of an NHL season. He did post 11 assists in those 26 games, and had a plus-minus near zero.  Now that he has scored in three consecutive games, Copp is on pace for 15 or 16 goals. That’s certainly in the neighborhood of what we would expect from Copp. He has only scored 20 goals once in his career (Split season between the Winnipeg Jets and Rangers in 2021-22). He only had nine goals last season.

 

 

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

  • Patrick Kane was injured in the Red Wings’ 4-2 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The team doesn’t yet know the extent of  his injury.
  • Former Detroit player Kris Draper has discovered his athletic ability translates well in a different sport.
  • Prospect goalie Sebastian Cossa has played sharply of late for the Grand Rapids Griffins.
  • Will the Red Wings need 100 points to make the playoffs? Coach Derek Lalonde believes they will need at least 95.

Red Wings Next Game

To point out that the Florida Panthers are coming off doesn’t tell the true story. They won nine in a row before the New Jersey Devils beat them 4-1 on Saturday. The Panthers have been playing like the team that reached the Stanley Cup Final last spring. The key to stopping the Panthers is minimizing the damage by Matthew Tkachuk.  And you thought dealing with Brady Tkachuk in Ottawa was hard enough. Matthew Tkachuk has a current eight-game points streak. In that surge, he has seven goals and 10 assists for 17 points.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Mick Colageo writes that the Boston Bruins are looking for the secret sauce that will put them over the top.

Chicago: The Chicago Blackhawks may not be as active before the NHL trade deadline as they were last season

Florida: Carter Verhaeghe is Mr. Clutch for the Florida Panthers. 

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski gave the Pittsburgh Penguins a C- for their mid-season grade. Former Detroit Red Wings goalie Alex Nedeljkovic received an A+. Pittsburgh goalie Tristan Jarry received a B+. Erik Karlsson received a C. Plenty to unpack with Kingerski’s grades.

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