The Daily: Why Red Wings Are Lighting The Lamp; Crosby Hart Talk

The Detroit Red Wings don’t have a Connor McDavid, David Pastrnak, Nathan MacKinnon or Nikita Kucherov. They don’t have anyone who is a threat to be among the NHL’s top 10 scorers. Alex DeBrincat is the team’s top point producer and he ranks 38th in the NHL with 26 points in 28 games.

But despite the absence of an elite difference-maker, the Red Wings rank second in the NHL with a scoring average of 3.79 goals per game. DHN’s Bob Duff lays out the details of Detroit’s improvement.

The Red Wings, with five or more goals scored in five of their last seven games, are closing on the Vancouver Canucks who lead the league with a scoring rate of 3.83 goals per game. What makes Detroit’s production even more remarkable is that last season Detroit was 24th with a 2.89 goals-per-game average.  They Red Wings are inching closer to scoring a goal per game better than they did last season.

Among the reasons for Detroit’s improvement: Alex DeBrincat’s arrival, Lucas Raymond’s improvement, more scoring from the defense and Robby Fabbri’s strong start to the season.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Behind the paywall: Tim Robinson looks at prospect Cross Hanas‘ time with the Grand Rapids Griffins.
• Former Red Wings player Jakub Vrana was waived by the St. Louis Blues.
• Dylan Larkin’s injury an indictment on NHL rules.

Red Wings Next Game

The Red Wings are home tonight to play the Carolina Hurricanes. Lucas Raymond continues to step up for the Red Wings. He has 11 points in his past 11 games. The main question for Detroit coaches these days is who starts in goal? Ville Husso beat the Blues, but gave up four goals. He has given up 14 goals in his past three starts. This season, Husso has only had a save percentage above .900 in four of 15 starts.

Hockey Now Network

Colorado: Nathan MacKinnon wows his coach during a Colorado Avalanche triumph over the Buffalo Sabres.

Florida: George Richards writes about how the Florida Panthers had an “ugly night” in Seattle.

New Jersey: James Nichols has takeaways from the New Jersey Devils‘ overtime win against the Boston Bruins. Jack Hughes netted the game-winner.

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski writes that Sidney Crosby deserves to  be in the Hart Trophy discussion. At 36, he scored his 16th and 17th goals to help the Pittsburgh Penguins down the Montreal Canadiens 4-3. Sportsnet also had an article about Hart talk for Crosby.

San Jose: As hard as this is to believe after their miserable start, the San Jose Sharks are starting to look at the NHL standings.  The Sharks are showing some bite.