"He's Feeling Good": Lucas Raymond Heating Up For Red Wings

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Just when they needed him the most, Detroit Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond is beginning to heat up.

The Swedish forward, who hadn't scored in his first eight games of the campaign, now has three goals in his last two outings, including a pair of goals in Thursday evening's 5-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena. 

According to head coach Todd McLellan, Raymond is looking like his old self, putting himself in the right places on the ice to make the most of his offensive chances. 

“He put himself in good spots tonight to score; I thought he did that last game," McLellan said afterward. "Even when he mishandled the puck a couple of times three or four games ago, he was in the right spot.

So now, he's feeling good, the confidence is back where it should be, and hopefully he takes off.”

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Not only did the Red Wings break out for five goals against the Canucks, but they also held them to zero shots in the second period of play. 

There was a moment of concern on the part of the Red Wings when goaltender John Gibson was announced as unavailable for the third period due to an upper-body injury.

That meant that Michal Postava, who had recently been called up from the American Hockey League affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins, earned his first NHL action; he finished with seven saves on the eight shots Vancouver fired his way.

“He had something in his eye," McLellan said of Gibson. "They're still looking at it, and so the EBUG is dressing, Michal's told he's going to play, and away he goes. Did a real good job, happy for him, and congratulations, you're in the NHL now.”

The good news is that Gibson's eye issue isn't expected to be serious. 

The Red Wings will continue their road trip on Saturday evening with a tilt against the Calgary Flames, which will be their final game at the Scotiabank Saddledome. 

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