In the midst of their second seven-game heater of the new year, Detroit has found a new source of strength
At Christmas, the Detroit Red Wings hadn't been on a seven-game winning streak in over a decade. A month and change later, the Red Wings have been on two seven-game heaters in the new year. To Detroit's credit, the two streaks have stemmed from different sources, reflecting the team's ability to win in different ways.
The first winning streak was driven primarily, if not exclusively, by a scoring power play. It felt as though the Red Wings could count on their man advantage for two or three goals a night. The present (and ongoing) seven-game win streak has a different texture. Detroit has played a more defensive, opportunistic games to deliver winning results. That style has been successful in large part due to the sterling form of both Red Wings goaltenders: Cam Talbot and Alex Lyon.
Talbot is responsible for five starts (and, of course, five wins) during the current streak. He has faced 143 shots during those games, stopping 134 of them for an excellent .937 save percentage. That includes a 28-save shutout to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning (whom Detroit will host in its final game before the 4 Nations Faceoff break Saturday).
Lyon, meanwhile, has started just twice, but he's been even sharper. Lyon made 45 saves on 47 shots to beat the Oilers in Edmonton, then followed it up with 25 saves on 27 shots to knock off the Canucks in Vancouver. That adds up to a .946 save percentage over those two games.
One dynamic worth keeping an eye on as Detroit eventually comes out of that 4 Nations break is the rotation between those two netminders. In the early days of Todd McLellan's tenure, it appeared Lyon had earned the distinction of being the '1A' option, despite Talbot's history with the coach. Now, that rotation appears to have inverted with Talbot re-assuming the bulk of the starts. With both in outstanding form, it is a classic 'good problem to have' as McLellan chooses his goaltender each night.
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