Detroit – For debuts, it could not have long past any higher for Elmer Soderblom.
Or Ville Husso. Or, for that subject, the brand new head trainer Derek Lalonde.
Many of the Red Wings’ inexperienced persons had memorable debuts Friday because the Wings defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-0 for the Wings’ common season and residential opener.
“The important thing, it’s not just getting the first win, but getting it the right way,” mentioned Lalonde, who gained his NHL head training debut. “We played a complete game. You worry about the psyche of playing well and not getting rewarded with the outcome, but it all came through for us.”
More:BOX SCORE: Detroit 3, Montreal 0
Lalonde wired all preseason he most likely shouldn’t have a second of being an NHL head trainer soak in till, most likely, his first victory. Friday, it took place.
“It’s exciting, no doubt,” Lalonde mentioned. “I’ve been asked throughout the entire (preseason) about that wow moment and I’ve said hopefully that wow moment is when we win, and it was exciting. But I’m just excited with how well we played and how complete a game we played.”
This used to be a 0-0 recreation till early in the 3rd duration, thank you basically to Montreal goaltender Jake Allen, who made 37 saves together with 25 on my own in the primary duration.
But the Wings in any case broke thru due to Soderblom.
The 6-foot-8 Red Wings’ energy ahead, who moderately unusually made the roster to start the season after a very good preseason, pounced on a unfastened puck in the slot and beat Allen.
“Unbelievable feeling and really fun to play,” mentioned Soderblom of his first NHL recreation. “I wanted to get a good first shift to get things going and I felt like I did that. The crowd was unbelievable, the fans were amazing. I’m just looking forward to playing more games in front of them.”
The tall and robust line of Soderblom, Oskar Sundqvist (6-foot-3) and Michael Rasmussen (6-foot-6) created havoc across the Canadiens’ finish of the ice lots of the night.
Rasmussen added an empty internet purpose past due in the 3rd duration, with Olli Maatta, some other Wings’ newcomer, additionally scoring a past due empty internet purpose.
The Soderblom, Rasmussen, Sundqvist line generally is a distinctive weapon for the Wings with its dimension and energy. They set the tone early towards Montreal, who could not fit up smartly in any respect (an issue many groups may have).
“That was the vision of that line together when it came to fruition,” Lalonde mentioned. “It was exciting and I really thought they set themselves up and got the hard goal (Soderblom’s) from below the goal line, which was exciting.”
Soderblom once more inspired controlling the puck and the usage of his dimension and energy.
“He handled (the game) way better than I even expected,” Lalonde mentioned. “I trust him in every situation. He’s a lot more responsible with the puck, he didn’t get lost in coverage at times either through the neutral zone or in our defensive zone which he did a little in our exhibitions. He got rewarded with the goal. I’m real happy.”
Husso, in his Red Wings debut, made 29 saves for the shutout. Husso made his highest save in the 3rd duration, with the Wings clinging to the 1-0 lead, gloving a rebound through Josh Anderson alongside the ice at the Montreal energy play.
Husso adopted up through steerage away a Brendan Gallagher partial breakaway.
“We played a great game for 60 minutes,” Husso mentioned. “I felt we were on top of them all the time and it was like one of those games as a goalie you enjoy to play. You trust the team and guys are doing a great job blocking shots. It was a good game.”
Lalonde favored the composed manner Husso seemed in internet.
“When he’s calm and quiet, if we’re not playing chaotic in front of him, he can look like that,” Lalonde mentioned. “He had the big save on the power play (on Anderson), but for most part we made it comfortable for him and that’s going to be our goal going forward.”
The Wings killed all 3 Montreal energy performs, a space that had to be addressed heading into this season. But the Wings’ energy play, although having a look efficient now and then, additionally did not convert in 3 alternatives.
ted.kulfan@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @tkulfan