Following their victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on October 1st, the Detroit Red Wings faced the Blackhawks again on October 3rd, but experienced a different outcome.
The Blackhawks, featuring a lineup mainly comprised of seasoned NHL players, secured a 4-2 win over the Red Wings.
Mixed Performance by Red Wings’ Defensemen The preseason debut for defensemen Ben Chiarot and offseason addition Justin Holl didn’t go as planned.
They encountered difficulties in the defensive zone, struggling with tasks such as advancing the puck for a breakout and occasionally turning the puck over, providing the Blackhawks with more scoring opportunities.
Additionally, they appeared slightly off pace during rushes and had difficulty handling pressure throughout the game.
Chiarot, despite signing a four-year deal with the Red Wings last offseason, might find himself on the fringe of the lineup for the opening night if he doesn’t deliver a strong preseason performance in the remaining three games. On a positive note, both players contributed with assists on the scoresheet.
Conversely, a few young defensive players showcased promising performances. William Wallinder and Albert Johansson impressed with their solid defensive play and displayed their offensive skills. Jared McIsaac also delivered a solid defensive performance in his first preseason appearance.
Veleno and Berggren Shine
Joe Veleno and Jonatan Berggren, both facing crucial seasons for their futures with the organization, made notable impressions during the game.
Veleno’s performance against the Blackhawks was arguably his best in the preseason so far. He displayed strength in the offensive zone, creating numerous scoring opportunities.
Playing alongside Klim Kostin and Berggren, they exhibited smooth puck movement and noticeable chemistry. Veleno was rewarded with both of the Red Wings’ goals, positioning himself effectively in the slot and showcasing his accuracy and quick shot release.
Berggren, another player vying for a spot on the Red Wings roster in the regular season, had one of his standout preseason performances.
He consistently made an impact in the offensive zone and contributed an assist on Veleno’s first goal with a well-executed pass that set up a one-time shot.
Solid Goaltending from Hutchinson and Husso
Both goaltenders representing the Red Wings in the game displayed solid performances. Ville Husso played the first half, making several crucial saves to keep his team competitive, including five stops within the first five minutes.
The lone goal he conceded appeared to involve some interference before Corey Perry scored. Overall, Husso turned away 13 of the 14 shots he faced.
Michael Hutchinson, on a professional tryout (PTO) contract, manned the net for the second half of the game and also performed admirably, stopping 17 of the 19 shots he faced in just over 27 minutes of game time.
Like Husso, Hutchinson came up with crucial saves throughout the game, notably denying Connor Bedard in the third period to keep the Red Wings within striking distance.
The two goals against him came from a faceoff loss leading to a point shot by defenseman Connor Murphy through a screen and a Chicago powerplay goal resulting from effective puck movement that left Perry open to net his second goal of the game.
Other Game Highlights
What’s Next for the Red Wings
The Red Wings are set to face the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 4th before taking on the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 5th.
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