Danielson Debut Spoiled, WIngs Lose 5-1
For the Detroit Red Wings faithful who filled Little Caesars Arena on Sunday, the matinee was a tale of two conflicting stories. On one hand, the scoreboard told a grim tale: a 5-1 defeat at the hands of the rival Chicago Blackhawks, marking the team’s third consecutive loss. On the other hand, it was a day that offered a peek into the future, as top prospect Nate Danielson made his long-awaited NHL debut.
The loss drops the Red Wings’ season record to 9-7-0, who now have lost 4 of 5 games after a hot start. This recent skid has seen the team struggle to find its footing, a trend that continued against a Blackhawks team that capitalized on its opportunities. The defeat follows a 4-1 loss to the New York Rangers just two nights prior, amplifying concerns about the team’s current trajectory.
Putting it mildly, the scoring has dried up
How it Happened
It was a showcase for the kid everyone’s been buzzing about — Connor Bedard. Just 59 seconds in, with Dylan Larkin in the box for tripping, the 20-year-old phenom wasted no time setting the tone. Bedard unleashed a laser from the right circle that pinged off the underside of the crossbar and in, putting the Hawks on the board before most fans had found their seats. Artyom Levshunov and Teuvo Teravainen picked up the helpers as the United Center roared.
Detroit answered four minutes later with a hard-nosed goal from the captain himself. Lucas Raymond’s low shot trickled through traffic and sat loose in the crease — and even as he was being knocked to the ice, Dylan Larkin managed to reach out and poke it home for his seventh of the season. Simon Edvinsson earned the secondary assist on what was one of the few bright moments of the night for the Wings.
The tie didn’t last long. Midway through the first, Teuvo Teravainen found the back of the net — you guessed it — another power play. Chicago’s puck movement was crisp, their positioning flawless, and Detroit’s penalty kill simply couldn’t keep up. By the first intermission, it was 2–1 Hawks, and the tide had clearly turned.
From there, it became the Arvid Soderblom show. The Chicago netminder was outstanding, stopping 45 shots and frustrating Detroit’s shooters at every turn. The Wings had five power plays of their own but came up empty on all of them — a storyline that’s quickly becoming too familiar.
The third period was all Blackhawks. Tyler Bertuzzi, facing his former team, buried a one-timer from the slot on yet another power play, notching his team-high fifth goal of the year. Moments later, rookie Oliver Moore made it 4–1 with his first NHL goal, cleaning up a rebound in front and sending the Chicago bench into celebration mode.
Andre Burakovsky capped the night with an empty-netter to seal it, while the Red Wings skated off looking more stunned than angry — the mark of a team that knows it let one get away before it even began.
The Future is Now: Danielson’s Debut
The brightest spot on an otherwise frustrating evening was undoubtedly the arrival of Nate Danielson. The ninth overall pick from the 2023 NHL Entry Draft was recalled from the Grand Rapids Griffins and immediately inserted into the lineup. After being sidelined by a preseason injury, Danielson made a significant impact in his short AHL stint, racking up an impressive five points (one goal, four assists) in just four games, signaling he was more than ready for the call-up.
Slotted as the center for the third line between Marco Kasper and Mason Appleton, Danielson’s presence represents a key piece of the Red Wings’ rebuild and future aspirations. His debut was a moment fans have been eagerly anticipating, hoping his two-way play and skill can provide a much-needed spark.
Roster Shake-Up Signals Urgency
Danielson’s promotion was not the only lineup change, as the coaching staff made a few notable adjustments. Veteran center Andrew Copp was moved to the fourth-line center position, a shuffle that speaks to the team’s search for chemistry and production throughout the lineup.
Perhaps more telling was the decision to make Michael Rasmussen a healthy scratch. The Wings have been patient with him, but the scoring production hasn’t found any rhythm, and it could be a sign that the Wings are ready to move on from the centerman.
Searching for a Spark
The Red Wings are not lacking in high-end talent, but the offense has hit a dry spell. Coming into the game, the team had averaged just two goals per game over their last five contests while allowing three. Captain Dylan Larkin (18 points in 15 games), Alex DeBrincat (15 points), and Lucas Raymond (12 points) have been the offensive drivers, but the team needs more consistent secondary scoring to break out of this slump. In Sunday’s loss, only Larkin was able to find the back of the net for Detroit.
Patrick Kane, who recently returned to the lineup, is still working to find his rhythm, though he showed positive signs in the previous game against the Rangers by registering six of the team’s 33 shots on goal. His offensive creativity will be crucial for a power play that needs to convert on its chances.
In net, the tandem of Cam Talbot and John Gibson has split the duties this season. Gibson was in goal for the loss against Chicago, making 15 saves. Goaltending has not been the primary issue during this skid; the team in front of the netminders needs to provide better support and, crucially, put more pucks in the opponent’s net.
Looking Ahead
The schedule doesn’t get any easier. The Red Wings will need to regroup quickly as they prepare to host the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday. This three-game losing streak is the team’s first significant test of adversity this season. It didn’t go well for the Wings in their last meeting, so look for them to bounce back this go-around.
What did you think of Danielson’s debut? Comment below or head on over to the Red WIngs Wheelhouse for more discussion.
Info gathered from team reports, pressers & trusted Michigan outlets — the way we always do it at Mitten Sports Talk.
