Detroit vs Arizona Preview

Red Wings and Jakub Vrana come home from a tough 5 game stretch (1-4) against a few of the NHL’s best. Detroit looks to turn things around in a favorable matchup on home ice against the Coyotes. Returning from the all star break Detroit has had one of the more difficult schedules. However they face a Coyote team despite their record they don’t want to start slow against or take lightly. Arizona rolls into Little Caesars Arena playing debatably their best hockey of the season on a 2 game winning streak hanging 8 goals Tuesday in the desert against Ottawa.  

Jakub Vrana Returns

The long awaited return of Jakub Vrana is finally here. Vrana was acquired at the trade deadline in a deal that sent former Red Wing Anthony Mantha to Washington. While we only got a small sample size of his future in the winged wheel. That sample was therapeutic for Detroit after dealing a fan favorite in Mantha after he signed an extension with the team. Jakub tallying 8 goals and 3 assists in his 11 games last season left us with the impression that he can produce and be the goal scorer this team needs. Vrana has missed the past 4 months due to aggravating a previous shoulder injury. He looks to pick up where he left off when he joins this young exciting Red Wings cast to help turn the tide in Hockeytown.

Keys to Success

Detroit has given up a horrendous 27 goals in the past 5 games, 10 of those coming against Toronto alone. That number is unacceptable no matter the competition you are facing. This stat that cannot be thrown onto one person to blame. This is a collective effort of bad defensive play while going through the growing pains of a young team.  The Wings will need to come out hot defensively while limiting the time in their zone to be successful at home against Arizona. Great defense will ultimately generate offense with the speed and explosiveness of this young core.