DETROIT, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 07: Pius Suter #24 of the Detroit Red Wings skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins during a preseason game at Little Caesars Arena on October 07, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The Detroit Red Wings were held scoreless for the first time this year in their 3-0 loss against the Calgary Flames.
After dominating for two periods, and down 2-0, the Red Wings seemed to run out of gas against the previously winless Flames.
Here are eight takeaways from the game.
1: Pius Suter was much better tonight. After being called out for his lack of performance during his first three games in a Red Wings uniform, Suter looked rejuvenated and had several scoring chances. Suter needs to carry this type of play into Saturday in order to help the offence get back on track.
2: Lucas Raymond continues to improve. Raymond had five shots on goal through two periods and was by far the best Red Wings player. Raymond earned the game’s third star for his effort.
3: Red Wings power play needs to improve. Going into tonight’s game, the Red Wings power play was sitting 20th in the NHL. Tonight, the Detroit power play went 0/3 and were held without a shot on goal.
4: The defense struggled tonight. Mistakes by the Detroit defense helped Calgary take a 2-0 lead into the third period. Nick Leddy and Filip Hronek were both -2 on the night. Look for a change in the defense pairings on Saturday night. Jordan Oesterle and Troy Stecher have been healthy scratches for each of the first four games of the season and one or both should get into at least one of the two games this weekend.
6: Alex Nedeljkovic looked steady in net. Nedeljkovic looked calm all night long for the Red Wings. Numerous turnovers in the first period resulted in the only goals Nedeljkovic allowed during the game. The third goal was scored into an empty net.
7: Lots of shots again. The Red Wings had 26 shots in the first two periods of the game and were held off the scoresheet. Detroit seemed to run out of gas in the third period and were outshot 14-7. With 33 shots, the Red Wings deserved a better fate then being shutout by the Flames.
8: Givani Smith fights Lucic. Givani Smith recorded his first fight of the season when he dropped the gloves with Flames forward Milan Lucic. Smith also recorded four hits and one shot on goal in probably his best game this year.
Next Game
The Red Wings travel to Montreal on Saturday night without Tyler Bertuzzi (not vaccinated) to play against the Canadiens. Game time is 7:00 PM ET.