Why Red Wings’ 20-game start is more sustainable this season

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings hit the 20-game mark on a roll, riding a three-game winning streak that has them feeling good about where they stand at roughly the quarter pole.

What’s strange is that at 11-6-3, with 25 points, they are one point behind where they were a year ago after 20 games (11-5-4, 26 points).

But there’s no denying this team is deeper and better from top to bottom than last year’s club. That’s why this start is more sustainable toward the Red Wings’ goal of ending a seven-year playoff drought.

“Of course, we’re happy,” coach Derek Lalonde said following Sunday’s 4-1 victory over Minnesota. “It’s just a start. I give our guys credit not to ride too high, not to ride too low. The Europe one point in two games was a very emotional low. We had to sit on it for a long time. I give our guys credit for handling it well. This is no different. This is obviously a high. We’ve taken six points in the last three games. Just managing our emotions, keep pushing to get better because we still have a long ways to go.”

General manager Steve Yzerman altered more than one-third of the roster with a series of off-season moves that so far has helped the team improve in every area – offense, defense, goaltending and special teams.

Here are five reasons why the Red Wings’ start is more sustainable this season:

More potent offense

The Red Wings rank fifth in the league in goals per game (3.70), up from 2.89 (24th) last season, and their power play is more dangerous (10th at 22.4 percent). The trade for Alex DeBrincat landed them a much-needed sniper, and with 12 goals he’s on pace to return to his 40-goal form. It also was vital for Lucas Raymond to bounce back from a disappointing second season and he’s done that with eight goals and 16 points. It has enabled Lalonde to separate Dylan Larkin and DeBrincat the past three games to spread the offense.

More secondary scoring

J.T. Compher has solidified the second-line center spot and with 17 points is on pace to top his career-high of 52 from last season with Colorado. Daniel Sprong is producing (five goals, 13 points) despite limited ice time (13:37) on the third and fourth lines. Joe Veleno has taken another step (five goals, eight points) and even earned top-line duty the past three games. Robby Fabbri has missed a lot of games with injuries the past three years but has produced at a decent rate when healthy (28 goals in 92 games since 2021-22). Andrew Copp (seven points) and Michael Rasmussen (six points) figure to pick up the pace after starting slow offensively.

More goaltending options

Lalonde has three viable options in net after having only one last season in Ville Husso. Alex Lyon, who started the season as No. 3 and didn’t play the first five weeks, is quickly earning more starts after three solid outings (1.35 goals-against average, .952 save percentage). Husso hasn’t been close to his best (3.47 GAA, .888 save percentage) but is winning (7-3-1). James Reimer wasn’t sharp his most recent start (5-4 overtime loss to Ottawa) but has given the team a chance to win.

Veteran defensive depth

Having seven veteran defensemen has led to having experienced players like Olli Maatta, Jeff Petry, Justin Holl and Shayne Gostisbehere being scratched. It’s also prompted Lalonde to dress all seven with success (they are 4-0 when doing so). Yzerman’s offseason acquisitions showed he believed top 2021 pick Simon Edvinsson needed more time to develop in Grand Rapids. The blue line has helped drop the goals against per game from 3.35 to 3.00.

Matching up against Atlantic

One of the Red Wings’ biggest obstacles to reaching the postseason is a tough Atlantic Division. Lalonde has said multiple times not to expect the division’s elite (Boston, Toronto, Tampa Bay and Florida) to regress, that his team must rise to reach that class. Including Ottawa, which famously whipped the Red Wings 6-2 and 6-1 just before last season’s trade deadline, Detroit is 4-3-1 against those clubs. That includes handing the Bruins (14-3-3) their first two regulation losses and an impressive win in Ottawa.

The Red Wings have had highs and lows – an early five-game winning streak, an extended power play drought (2 for 41 during a 10-game stretch), blown opportunities during a frustrating Sweden trip and now a three-game winning streak against a trio of 2023 playoff teams.

What’s clear is this team is better equipped to stay in the playoff chase longer and maybe even get there for the first time since 2016.