Detroit Red Wings: Recapping a very interesting week 20

Welcome to my 20th 2023-24 regular season Detroit Red Wings weekly review. The Red Wings enter a crucial time in the schedule where points are critical and they had three games this week.

They began the week with an impressive 4-3 overtime win against the Vancouver Canucks. Then, they proceeded to lose a tough game 8-4 against the Edmonton Oilers. Later, they fell 4-1 in the rematch against the Canucks.

The Detroit Red Wings have some things going on with them right now

Positives

Although they had a 1-2 record this week, they performed rather well against two elite playoff-bound teams. Detroit lacks the talent that both Vancouver and Edmonton have but they showed they can play well against the best teams in the league.

They had no quit and continued to push and play hard with precious points on the line. Detroit made no progress in the standings but is not giving up on pursuing a playoff berth.

This should go as a positive heading into the next week and give them some more confidence as the games get no easier.

Forward Patrick Kane led the team in scoring this week with four points on one goal and three assists. His presence in the lineup makes the team better overall and his veteran leadership is showing in the team's play.

He will play a massive part in the team's success going forward and into the late part of the season. He has previous playoff experience and can help lead this team to the playoffs and the grind leading up to that point.

Being in the lineup is important for the team and Kane as he continues to lead them and produce offensively. He is a free agent after the season and fully deserves a new contract based on his play after returning from hip surgery.

Christian Fischer is a player who has not been talked about enough since joining the Red Wings and has been amazing in a bottom-six role.

This week, he had three assists to come in second in team scoring this week and has two goals and 10 assists for 12 points in 50 games.

That is not an impressive point total but his hustle and energy that he brings is something the team needed.

He has created offensive opportunities, played a solid defensive role in the neutral and defensive zones, fought on occasion, and thrives in a penalty-killing role. He, like Kane, will be a free agent after this season and has earned another contract.

Negatives

Goaltender Ville Husso made his return to the Red Wings lineup against the Oilers but it did not last long as he was injured halfway through the first period.

As per Head Coach Derek Lalonde, Husso is week-to-week following his injury. One has to feel for the guy who was so excited to return to the Red Wings crease only to make it nine minutes in.

Does General Manager Steve Yzerman cut ties with Husso after the season? He does have one year left on his contract and can still be a valuable goaltender but this season he has been injury prone so Yzerman may look elsewhere for another goaltender if Husso struggles to stay healthy.

Based on how this week went against elite teams, does this change Yzerman's approach to the trade deadline? The team needs to look into a defenseman or two along with some goaltending depth.

The forward group is solid so Yzerman may leave that alone. However, some defensemen have not lived up to expectations.

With Simon Edvinsson seemingly ready for the NHL, there could be a move or two made to get him into the lineup. Detroit should also look into a proven NHL starter like Jacob Markstrom or Jusse Saros.

Weekly record : 1-2

Season record: 27-20-6, 60 points, 5th place in the Atlantic Division