Red Wings Defense Corps Leads NHL in Points

With 33 points in ten games, the Detroit Red Wings defense corps is currently the highest scoring blue line in the NHL

Through ten games, the Detroit Red Wings defense corps has amassed 33 points, the best mark for any blue line around the NHL.

Moritz Seider leads the way for Detroit with 10 points (on one goal and nine assists), and Shayne Gostisbehere is hot on his heels with nine points (from three goals and six assists).  Meanwhile, Seider's partner Jake Walman has two goals and three assists for five points to his name.

"I think it's big, and also, it's a big credit to the forwards using us—curling up, using the D as an option," said Seider Wednesday afternoon.  "It's obviously a lot of fun playing with the puck."

"Coming into this year, it feels like we can score from anywhere," added Walman, crediting the depth of the Red Wing D corps for the positive early returns.  "Got a lot of guys that have done it in the past on the blue line...it's good to see contributions from everybody."

Walman also pointed out that the formula doesn't have to be complicated to be effective when it comes to generating offense from the back end: "It's just taking your shots when you have em.  Jumping up in the play, we've got a lotta guys that can skate and have a good sense for the net."

In his comments after Wednesday's practice, Derek Lalonde revealed he didn't realize Detroit led the league in points from the back end until he was asked about it. 

"I don't think our structure's much different than anyone else," the second-year head coach said.  "We want [the defensemen] involved without risk.  We want them involved the correct way, and for the most part, they're doing that."

Lalonde added that he delights in the unadorned creation of offense from the blue line, saying "I get really excited when D create simple offense, when the 200-foot goals start from simple plays out of our zone or simple plays on the blue line.  Look no further than our second goal [against the Islanders] where it's just two D committed to putting pucks on net, and it ends up in the net.  You love the third goal in which Mo makes a really good play on it, but I love the simple offense."

Entering tonight's games, the Carolina Hurricanes are second in the league in points from defensemen at 29, and the Vancouver Canucks are third with 28.  A year ago, the Red Wings finished 19th in the category, with 168 points from the back end.  That was 52 points behind the league leaders, the Colorado Avalanche at 220.

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