The Detroit Red Wings are fourth in the Atlantic Division and on the edge of securing a playoff spot. One thing that has gone right has been the offense.
On occasion, they will score a single goal or be shut out but they have the firepower and it is showing in the stats. Not to mention, they now have Patrick Kane to help boost those numbers.
The Red Wings started this season as the highest-scoring team in the league. Pucks were going in from everywhere and from everyone.
To think this type of offense was going to be sustainable from game one to 82 could be considered foolish but we have never seen this version of the Red Wings.
The Detroit Red Wings are winning with a loaded offense right now
They have Alex DeBrincat, who was brought in to provide offense and could be a potential 40-goal scorer, captain Dylan Larkin, and Lucas Raymond.
General Manager Steve Yzerman picked up players like J.T. Compher, Andrew Copp, Daniel Sprong, and Shayne Gostisbehere to provide secondary scoring. Another season of veteran David Perron and youngster Jonatan Berggren would be considered pivotal as Detroit looked to take that next step.
However, after the first month, the offense slowly dried up. The team was still getting chances but they were not going in, running into solid goaltending night after night. Something was wrong but the offensive contributors were still there.
Since then, the offense has, for the most part, been consistent throughout the season.
The off-season acquisitions were plenty to give the team an updated look and, with the addition of Patrick Kane, gave Detroit a legit offensive weapon to go with DeBrincat, Larkin, and Raymond up front.
The power play has been better of late, getting more chances as the Red Wings now have several options to put fresh talent on either power play unit.
With Detroit's offense, they have scored 139 goals, third in the league, and are averaging 3.56 goals per game, fifth in the league. The power play is in the top half of the league with a 21.9% success rate and ranks 13th in the league.
Leading the Red Wings in goals (17), assists (21), and points (38) is DeBrincat. He is the main offensive weapon acquired and signed by Yzerman this off-season and is already making his mark on the team.
He did lead the league in goal-scoring for the first two months of the season but failed to keep up the pace. He continues to be a massive part of the offense by not only scoring goals but by dishing the puck as well.
His numbers are expected to climb with the addition of Kane, his former teammate in Chicago with the Blackhawks.
With Larkin, DeBrincat, Kane, Raymond, and Compher being the bigger producers offensively, this team is getting contributions from all over the lineup. Detroit has five players with 10 or more goals, 16 players with 10 or more points, and 14 players with a 10% or higher shooting percentage.
This may be one of the more well-rounded teams Detroit has had in a while. Each line is contributing offensively and that kind of support is what Detroit needs going forward.
DeBrincat leads the team offensively but right behind him are Larkin (14-19-33) and Raymond (11-21-32). Kane is the hottest Red Wings player as of late, producing six goals and eight assists for 14 points in his first 16 Detroit Red Wings games.
The offense is not that of the Toronto Maple Leafs or Vancouver Canucks. However, they do have scoring depth at each position, including the defense, which is something they have not had in a few years years.
On defense, Moritz Seider (5-18-23), Jake Wallman (9-8-17), and newcomer Gostisbehere (7-21-28) have all contributed in the offensive zone.
Detroit is going to have to keep this type of offensive production to ensure a playoff spot. The defense and goaltending have been subpar and the offense has had to play a big part by outscoring the opposition to win games.
The steady flow of chances in each period continues to wear down the opposition to perfection, giving Detroit an advantage in close games.
For Detroit to maintain this type of offense, another offensive weapon may need to be brought in as the main sources of offense cannot continue to operate like this. Yes, they do have more weapons but it never hurts to have too much offense going down the stretch.