Detroit — A successful hockey team needs contributions offensively not just from one line, its scoring line, but from everyone throughout the lineup.
The Red Wings’ top line of Tyler Bertuzzi, Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond has been among the prolific lines in the NHL this young season.
And when the Wings have won, and especially in the last two victories, they’ve gotten contributions from secondary sources that prove so important.
Tuesday, it was Vladislav Namestnikov scoring two goals in the victory over Edmonton, while Sunday, it was the second line of Filip Zadina, Pius Suter and Robby Fabbri (two goals, three assists combined) making contributions on the score sheet.
“We do have guys up and down the lineup, in different ways, that can score,” coach Jeff Blashill said.
One of the things that has pleased Blashill in the last several games has been the amount of shots the Wings were able to put on net.
In losses to Montreal and Boston last week, the Wings only mustered 22 and 15 shots, respectively.
In victories over Buffalo and Vegas during the weekend, the Wings put up 33 and 30 shots on net. And on Tuesday against Edmonton, the Wings were credited with 39 shots.
“One of the things we’ve done a better job the last couple of games is shooting with a presence in front of the net,” Blashill said. “There are opportunities to tip pucks, score on rebound goals. That’s the way, for me, the easier way and hardest way to find your way to score more goals.”
Easier in that anybody can get to those hard areas, but not everybody can do it.
But the Wings have done a much better job overall.
“Our defense has done a better job of shooting pucks,” Blashill said. “We’ve scored a number of tipped goals. Vlade’s second goal (Tuesday) there was a great pass to top from (Adam) Erne with the one hand, then Hronek does a great job keeping the puck in, a tip from Ras, and rebound goal.
“Year in and year out, you’re going to have years you’ll shoot real hot and years you won’t.
“Stay consistent, score dirty.”
A large key for the Wings will be the continued development of the Suter line.
Suter, Zadina and Fabbri got off to sluggish starts before beginning to get on track, Suter scoring in Buffalo, then all three making an impact against Vegas.
Having a second consistently dangerous line along with the Larkin line would be a tremendous advantage.
“They’re a line that has offensive ability and created a lot of chances here (lately),” Blashill said. “They had some real chances (Tuesday). Suter has played excellent the last couple of games and so has Z and Fabs. They’re a line that can create a lot, and they’re starting to develop chemistry.
“We went through a stretch where the lines got mixed up a little bit (without Larkin, Bertuzzi in the lineup last week), and now we’re in a stretch where we’re hoping we can keep these lines together.
“Four impactful lines in their own way.”
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Confidence building
A victory over a quality team over Edmonton, along with the knowledge they’ve now won three consecutive games, gives the Wings plenty of confidence heading into Thursday’s game against Washington.
The Wings rallied to beat Washington last month, an early season sign the Wings could be a different team this season.
Namestnikov talked about the Wings’ budding confidence.
“The mood is good,” Namestnikov said. “Even when we were losing everyone was in good spirits. Everyone believes in each other, that we have a good team. When we roll four lines it’s hard to play against us. We want to be that team that when teams come in here, they say, ‘Wow, it’s hard to play against these guys.’
“Hopefully we can keep rolling and keep winning.”
Blashill the confidence is building through the fact the Wings have better talent, and know they can rally to win games. Plus, the fact this core has gone through a lot the past several seasons, and has learned how to win games.
“We’ve talked about how we’ve infused some talent,” Blashill said. “That gives you chances to make plays and gets you back in games. That’s not necessarily a learning process. We’ve infused talent, and you stay in the games longer.
“There is a maturity level that when you go down a couple of goals, to not play to lose, and understanding there’s still a lot of time and you have to keep playing the right way. If you go down a couple of goals and give up chances, you can’t cheat for offense at that point. You have to make sure your game plan stays the same as it was when the game started and you make them earn their offense, and you’re creating offense.
“Confidence is earned through the knowledge you do have talent to go out and win the hockey game regardless if you’re down. It’s a learning process and we’ve gone through different things over the last couple of years and some of them have been around here and learned from it. As we go through this season, we’re continuing to learn.
“We did a better job (against Edmonton) than we did the previous game, or the Tampa game opening night (losing 7-6 in overtime, losing a late lead). We just have to keep growing and getting better.”
Ice chips
Blashill said defenseman Troy Stecher is seeking a second opinion on an undisclosed injury.
Stecher last played Nov. 4 against Boston.
… The Wings will go after their fourth consecutive win, Thursday at home against Washington. They haven’t won that many games in a row since winning six straight March 23 through April 2, 2019.
Capitals at Red Wings
►Faceoff: 7:30 Thursday, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
►TV/radio: BSD/97.1
►Outlook: The Capitals (6-2-4) have gotten off to a quick start, but the Wings earned a 3-2 overtime victory over Washington in the teams’ first game this season. … LW Alex Ovechkin is off to one of the best starts in his legendary career (11 goals, 10 assists in 12 games). … Former Wings RW Anthony Mantha (shoulder surgery) is out, as is the player he was traded for, RW Jakub Vrana (shoulder surgery).
ted.kulfan@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @tkulfan