Detroit Red Wings: Wrapping up week 7 of the 2023-24 season

Welcome to my seventh 2023-24 regular season Detroit Red Wings weekly review. The Red Wings played two games this week, including their final game in Sweden.

They lost game one, 3-2, to the Toronto Maple Leafs in Stockholm and returned to the United States and defeated the New Jersey Devils 4-0.

The Detroit Red Wings are right in the mix for a playoff spot in 2023-24

Positives

The top scorer this week was forward Daniel Sprong, who finished the week with one goal and two assists for three points. Robby Fabbri (one goal, one assist), Alex DeBrincat (two assists), and Lucas Raymond (two goals) came in at two points a piece.

Goaltender Alex Lyon got his time between the pipes for the Detroit Red Wings and was impressive. Over his two games, he allowed a total of three goals with all three goals against coming in game two in Sweden.

He did record a shutout against the Devils and put his name in the hat for the backup job. With starter Ville Husso returning to the team soon, one has to wonder what the role of Lyon will be.

The line changes by head coach Derek Lalonde before the game against New Jersey as the team looked more confident and had a bit more excitement in their play.

With that said, will these be the lines going forward? Will the lines be a game-day decision? The line shuffling for star players to different lines does not hurt if the team finds success in doing so.

Negatives

Although defenseman Ben Chiarot got an assist in the game against Toronto, the Red Wings need more offense from the back end.

Moritz Seider, Jake Walman, and Shayne Gostisbehere are carrying the load offensively but players like Jeff Petry need to step up as he has not been the player the Detroit Red Wings thought they were getting when he was signed in the offseason.

If this team is going to make noise this season, everyone has to be hitting on all cylinders, even the sixth and seventh defensemen.

The power play could use a new look. Once a powerhouse weapon of the Red Wings, the power play went 1-8 this week and looked out of sorts.

They are not clicking the same way they were in the first few weeks of the season and something is definitely off.

The power play is something that is going to be crucial in the second half of the season and in the playoffs. There is plenty of time to go in the 2023-24 season and it is one thing that needs attention before it is too late.

Weekly record: 1-1

Season record: 9-6-3, 21 points, 5th in the Atlantic Division