Red Wings 2, Sabres 1: Game Notes

DETROIT—Last night at Little Caesars Arena, the Detroit Red Wings (5-5-1) snapped a three-game losing skid, scoring a 2-1 win over the visiting Buffalo Sabres (4-7-1).  From Jonatan Berggren's bubbling breakout to another fruitful night on the power play, let's review the action.

The Game in One Quote

The veracity of this account of last night's game lies in its simplicity.  In this sentiment, the Detroit captain encapsulates the mood around his team during a start to the season where the process has raised more questions than the results.  Despite that fact, or perhaps because of it, what the Red Wings needed Saturday night—whatever the path there—was two points.  The plain way Larkin expressed that makes clear that it is true.  Between playing an opponent that projects to wind up near the Atlantic Division's floor that was also on the second night of a back-to-back and the Red Wings' three-game losing streak, Detroit needed a win, and—thanks in large part to Larkin's two-goal effort—it got that win Saturday.

Number to Know: 2-2

During the third period, the Sabres and Red Wings each generated two five-on-five high-danger chances, per Natural Stat Trick.  Against an offense-first team and protecting a one-goal lead for the duration of that period, that's an awfully good 20 minutes for Detroit.  It's not the passive, all defense approach that invited disaster against Edmonton; instead, the Red Wings kept dangerous opposing looks to a minimum, while creating a bit of danger of their own.  Of course, Buffalo—like the rest of the league—lacks the Oilers' high-end firepower, but that's good process for Detroit.

"I don't feel like there was a ton there...That's just a high-end offensive team pushing," said coach Derek Lalonde of the Sabres' offensive chances, juxtaposing Buffalo's 13 shots on goal with relatively scant high-danger opportunities.  "They're gonna get their looks...I thought our defense was positive. I thought we stayed on our toes. The one area I still think we can keep growing is just a few more plays out of zone to be a little better in those situations."

In other words, a bit like the overall performance, the Red Wings' effort to close out the game in the third wasn't perfect, but it was effective.

Observations

Talbot's Sight Lines

-Cam Talbot was excellent again for the Red Wings, with 31 saves on 32 shots in a winning effort.  It remains the case that goaltending is the biggest reason Detroit's early season form didn't result in

"I thought the guys did a good job of boxing out tonight," he said. "I had my sight lines for pretty much every shot tonight, so any time we can do that, it puts us in a great spot. If I can see the puck, I try to control it the best I can: Put the puck in the corner, eat it, swallow it, do whatever I can to kill the play. I thought that where we gave up the shots from tonight wasn't as taxing as maybe earlier on in the season."

I don't have a ton to add to this observation from Talbot, but it's an interesting and I think important one.  There is some humility in Talbot deferring credit to his teammates here, but there's also a basic truth that sight lines are a crucial variable for a goaltender, and—like pre-shot movement—it's something that even the "advanced" publicly available metrics we have (which are predicated on shot location) are completely unable to account for.

Controlling the Hard Areas on the Power Play

After another two-goal night, the Red Wings' power play sits at 8th in the NHL, having scored on nine of its 34 chances for a 26.5% conversion rate.  Somewhat curiously, the power play has been a good deal more effective at home (33.3%) than on the road (10%), though at this point the sample there is hard to read much into considering Detroit has played seven home games during which its totaled 24 power plays, compared to just 10 power plays and four away games so far.

Instead, I want to focus on the two-man game between Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Larkin that created last night's game-winner.  Ahead of yesterday's game, Lalonde explained to The Hockey News that the top power play unit (Moritz Seider, Patrick Kane, Lucas Raymond, Larkin, and DeBrincat) need to be able to gain access to the slot, even without a traditional net-front player.  "The idea with is we still need to get around the hard area," Lalonde said yesterday morning.  "We still need to take the goalies eyes when need be, but sometimes, with a power play like that, you're looking to manipulate the PK a little bit, with some really fast good puck movement."  You can see those principles in action on Larkin's second goal last night:

What stands out is the way DeBrincat controls valuable real estate just beyond the crease, occupying that space then vacating it for Larkin to emerge into.  This unit doesn't have a player who is just going to stand in front of the goal looking for tips (though we have seen moments of that from DeBrincat).  Instead, it's a slightly more creative approach to controlling the area of the ice where goals come from.

DeBrincat assumes possession in that area, fakes as if he is going straight to the net, but then draws the Buffalo PK's attention elsewhere.  In so doing, he opens up room for Larkin to sneak into for an open look in the most dangerous spot on the ice.  It's a great combination from DeBrincat and Larkin, and assistant coaches Jay Varady and Alex Tanguay also deserve credit for helping to create this look.

Berggren Snakebitten, Due for Offensive Breakout

Jonatan Berggren has just one assist in 11 games for the Red Wings, but it continues to feel as though he's due for the offensive levy to break.  He's taken clear strides in his wall play, particularly in the defensive zone, which has gone a long way to earning his coach's trust.  He also continues to be involved in quality chances every night.  On Saturday, he had an outstanding look on a back-door re-direct that wound up striking the cross-bar.  As Lalonde pointed out post-game, if Berggren keeps playing the way he is, offense will soon follow.

"He's a little bitten today, in his whole game," LaIonde said.  "I think he has one assist in 16, 17 games [including the pre-season], but he's producing chances.  We have a practice rep we hammer all week of low to high, quick off the stick, find a stick.  He does everything right.  It goes off his stick.  It goes bottom crossbar.  Now you're starting to feel for him, but if he keeps getting these looks, it's a positive.  He's produced in this league in the past.  He played himself offensively probably out of the American Hockey League.  I'd be more concerned if he wasn't getting those looks.  He's getting those looks.  I think it's a positive.  I think he'll start producing some offense here."

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