Detroit — The Detroit Red Wings have installed a new goal horn at Little Caesars Arena that resembles the one from Joe Louis Arena’s glory days. There’s also a new goal song. This is part of Detroit artist Eminem’s “Without Me.”
“Who do you think is Buck?” goes another part. “again …”
Are the Red Wings back? It’s too early to say there are only four games left until the season starts. But they’re off to a good start, 3-1-0, with a 6-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday and Saturday (1 p.m. ET, RDS, TSN5, BSDET). The Senators defeated the Washington Capitals 6-1 on Wednesday to move into a tie with the Red Wings for first place in the Atlantic Division with a 3-1-0 record.
Alex DeBrincat, Detroit’s biggest acquisition of the offseason, leads the NHL with eight points (five goals, three assists) in four games. Of course I’m from Ottawa. The Senators traded him to the Red Wings on July 9 after he refused to sign a long-term contract. The forward signed a four-year, $31.5 million contract with his hometown team, averaging $7.875 million per year.
“It’s definitely going to be weird going back,” DeBrincat said. “I think they obviously have a great team and it’s going to be a good battle. I think there’s a rivalry brewing there, so it should be a good game and a fun game to be a part of, so I’m looking forward to going back. I’m looking forward to coming.”
Flashback to last season: The Red Wings went 7-1-0 and were in line for the second wild card spot from the Eastern Conference into the Stanley Cup Playoffs on February 25th. However, they lost 3-0 to the Tampa Bay Lightning. That night, they lost back-to-back games in Ottawa on February 27th and 28th by a combined score of 12-3. As a result, they decided to sell him before the NHL trade deadline on March 3rd.
“We still have a long way to go, and I think those two games showed that,” general manager Steve Yzerman said at the time.
The Red Wings missed the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season, tying the longest drought in their 97-year history (1970-77). They finished 24th in the NHL in goals per game (2.89) and 17th on the power play (21.1 percent). Yzerman made a splash in the offseason, adding forwards DeBrincat, JT Compher, Klim Kostin and Daniel Sprong, defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, Justin Holl and Jeff Petry, and goalie James Reimer.
Now, after losing 4-3 to the New Jersey Devils on October 12th, the Red Wings have won three straight. They defeated the Lightning 6-4 at home on Saturday and the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-0 on the road Monday. They are tied for first in goals per game (4.75) with the Senators and Carolina Hurricanes and are first on the power play (46.2 percent). There were 12 players who scored goals and 17 players who scored.
“I feel like a goal can come from any line at any time,” said forward Andrew Copp, who has four points (three goals and one assist) in four games. “I think that will give us more confidence in playing the right way, because if we don’t give up too much, we can find opportunities with this group.”
On Wednesday, the Red Wings fell behind 1-0 when Penguins center Evgeni Malkin scored 53 seconds into the first period. It didn’t matter. Detroit tied the score late in the first period and led 4-1 in the second period. After the Penguins made it 4-3 in the third period, the Red Wings fought back again.
“I don’t know if we were panicking last year, but it was definitely like a quiet confidence that we could beat one or two and that we had enough scorers here.”Kopp said. “Our scoring depth has proven so far.”
Once again, it’s early. It’s only been four games in a row. Coach Derek Lalonde warned that scoring could be up or down. But he also said, “It’s amazing what just adding a few more sticks to the lineup can do to an offense.”
You also don’t want to overhype Game 5 of the season. However, the playoff race could be a close one as the Senators look to end a six-season playoff drought. This will be a relatively big deal for both teams. And isn’t that the first step? Are you playing the big game?
“After last year, we just want to do our best,” Kopp said. “There’s definitely going to be some battles because these two teams have improved over the years and I feel like they’re on the verge of being a playoff team. I think we just want to play a good hockey game. Masu.
“I think we’re heading in the right direction right now. We feel good about our game, but it’s going to be another test.”
