Balance of Depth and Stars Against Maple Leafs Leaves Detroit on Precipice of Playoffs
Season-sustaining victory in Toronto shows Red Wings' need for star power AND depth contributions
© Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports - Balance of Depth and Stars Against Maple Leafs Leaves Detroit on Precipice of PlayoffsOn Saturday night in Toronto, the Red Wings didn't make life easy on themselves.
Detroit entered the game needing at least one point to remain in contention for a playoff berth. The Red Wings raced out to a 4-1 lead after the first period but relinquished that lead to the Maple Leafs in the second. Regulation ended tied at four but with Detroit on the power play. At four-on-three in overtime, Dylan Larkin scored from the top of the crease, and the Red Wings had the point they needed plus a second and a 5-4 victory.
Getting those two points in Toronto required a balance of star power and depth. Detroit needed more offense from the offseason's marquee acquisition in Alex DeBrincat, and he scored twice, but it also needed contributions from players lower down the lineup like David Perron and Simon Edvinsson.
When you put it all together, the end result was enough to make certain there will be something to play for in the season-concluding home-and-home with Montreal Monday and Tuesday night.
On the most recent episode of The Silky Mitten State, my co-host Connor Earegood and I discussed the Red Wings' need for consistency from depth players like Perron. Here's a sample of that conversation:
For full episodes of The Silky Mitten State, go to Spotify or Apple Podcasts:
Also from THN Detroit
