Wrapping up week 5 of the Detroit Red Wings 2023-24 season
Welcome to my fifth 2023-24 regular season Detroit Red Wings weekly review. The Red Wings played two games this week, going 1-0-1.
They began the week with a 5-4 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets. They then traveled to Sweden to play game 1 of the 2023 NHL Global Series and lost 5-4 in overtime to the Ottawa Senators in Avicii Arena.
The Detroit Red Wings earned a split over this last week of games
Positives
Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (one goal and two assists) continues to shine for Detroit, as he and forward J.T. Compher (three assists) each had three points this week. Both players have provided offense at key times this season and they look to be a bargain in free agency.
Gostisbehere now leads the Red Wings in defensemen scoring with four goals and eight assists for 12 points in 15 games, while Compher is third in team scoring with three goals and 10 assists for 13 points.
The offense came back to life this week by scoring four goals in each game. Although the top guys like Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat provided little offense, the bottom six forwards also contributed, having six points in two games on two goals and four assists.
It was nice to see the bottom six chipping in this early in the season as this could be crucial come playoff time.
Defenseman Jeff Petry, who had struggled so far this season, provided two assists this week. Petry looked to be out of place early in the season but has placed himself on the top power-play unit for now.
Maybe time was all he needed but if he rounds back into what they thought they were getting, this could be huge for the Detroit Red Wings.
Negatives
The Red Wings went 1-0-1 when they could have gone 2-0 against beatable teams. The loss in Ottawa could have been a win, coming back from a 4-0 deficit and tying the game to secure a single point, which is huge against a team in the division.
These points are massive and could decide which team gets into the 2023 NHL playoffs. Division games are important, especially in a division where things are tight.
The Detroit Red Wings goaltending allowed nine goals in the two games, something that has to be corrected. With Ville Husso out to see his daughter being born, the goaltending was up to James Reimer, who was magnificent to start the season.
The game in Sweden was his and he left the game with a .853 save %, which is below average. Reimer needs to step up like he did early in the season and lead this team when Husso is not available.
Head coach Derek Lalonde already confirmed that goaltender Alex Lyon would get the second game in Sweden against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Weekly record: 1-0-1
Season record: 8-5-3, 19 points, third in Atlantic Division.