It would be wrong to classify the power play of the Detroit Red Wings are powerless without Alex Chiasson. However, it would not be at all incorrect to suggest that the unit is much more powerful and potent since Chiasson’s arrival on the scene.
During a 7-6 shootout loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, the Red Wings were two-for-three with the man advantage. An 11-season NHL veteran, Chiasson was on the ice for both power-play goals. He was the scorer of one, converting a backwards, through the legs pass from captain Dylan Larkin for his sixth goal of the season.
“I think the power play on the whole guys are slotted in pretty good spots,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “I think Chiasson has helped that group. It’s been a huge shot in the arm for us. I think he’s done a good job.
“I think all five guys have slotted nicely and I think there’s been some vast improvement with Mo on top, simplifying his play on the power play. I don’t know the number but I’m sure we’re a top-10 team over the last couple months or so, or of late, on the power play, and it’s helped our game obviously.”
In the 17 games since Chiasson was signing an NHL contract and given promotion from the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit is 14-for-46 with the man advantage. That’s a 30.43% success rate.
Chiasson has scored five of those 14 power-play goals, or 35.7% of Detroit’s tallies while plying with a manpower advantage.
Ain’t It Swede For Red Wings?
When Detroit was ruling over the NHL, they did so led by a significant contribution from Swedish players. The process appears to be repeating itself as the club seeks to build for the future. During Thursday’s game, rookie forward Jonathan Berggen was scoring his 15th goal of the season. Rookie defenseman Simon Edvinsson potted his second NHL goal.
“It’s great experience for those guys,” Larkin said. “Berggy’s been with us a little bit longer than Simon, but I’ve been really impressed with both those guys. They’ve come in and just worked. It’s exciting for the future.”
Second-year winger Lucas Raymond doled out three assists.
“I think a strong finish for him is huge,” Larkin said of Raymond. “Again, a guy that was in the battle tonight. It got him engaged and he had a great night for us.”
Ice Chips
Seven of the last 10 Red Wings vs. Sabres games were one-goal outomes, with six of them winding up in overtime or the shootout . . . Detroit reached 80 points for the season on Thursday. That’s the club’s most productive campaign since collecting 93 points in 2015-16 . . . The Red Wings have scored an NHL-leading 20 goals this season with the goalie pulled . . . Larkin (6-4-10) and winger David Perron (7-3-10) each have 10 points over the past six games.
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