The Detroit Red Wings are down to just three preseason games, holding a hearty 3-2 record as they approach the home stretch. A week from today, we’ll be on the eve of opening night.
Opening night, of course, holds hope that Moritz Seider, and Lucas Raymond will both suit up and skate out to deafening cheers from the Little Caesars Arena crowd. Whether that happens remains to be seen.
But both have made their cases, and while Seider seems like a virtual lock, Raymond has done everything but get verbal support from head coach Jeff Blashill’s wife.
Raymond has six points (2-4) in three games and has injected a whole lot of hope into a fanbase that watched mediocre Wings teams get bounced in the first round for the middle half of the last decade and then fail to make the playoffs from 2017 to the past season.
Yzerman came in, ripped the whole thing down to its studs, and poured some Seider into the foundation. (Sorry, couldn’t resist). Raymond though is a talent that continues to dazzle and even have opponent’s broadcasting crew picking their jaws up from the floor.
Preaseason be damned–he looks like the real deal.
Red Wings Lines For the Evening
Blue Jackets Lines for the Evening
Red Wings to Watch
Givani Smith: Smith has not had a strong preseason so far. He has no goals, no assists and a -3 +/- differential in three games. It’s important that Smith starts contributing soon. He’s had limited opportunities in the preseason; thing are only going to get more competitive in the regular season.
Lucas Raymond: Raymond has been lights out in the preseason thus far. He leads the preseason roster in points with six (two goals and four assists) and has looked like the best player on the ice. All those predictions about his playmaking skills are coming true, as he’s continues to illustrate his high-level playmaking skills. Raymond also seems to be developing chemistry with Dylan Larkin on the top line. While he is not yet a lock for the day one roster, he is sure playing like one. Tonight is another chance for Raymond to make his case that he should be a Red Wings roster to start the regular season.
Jonatan Berggren: Tonight will only be Berggren’s second game of the preseason. His first was in Pittsburgh, where he didn’t really manage to make his presence known (although to be fair, most of the team struggled with that in their 5-1 loss to the Penguins). Based on morning skates, Berggren won’t be given top-line minutes against the Blue Jackets, but he is talented enough to make some noise even with limited minutes. Keep an key on him throughout the night; it’s only a matter of time before he makes his presence felt.