By Mike Whitaker
DETROIT – It was a game that they had to have, and thanks to the play of a pair of rookies, the Detroit Red Wings hit the jackpot against the Vegas Golden Knights at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday afternoon with a 3-0 victory.
Rookie defenseman Albert Johansson broke a scoreless tie in the second period with a Paul Coffey-esque beauty of a goal, which was followed by Marco Kasper solidifying the lead in the third period with a perfect redirection of a pass from Erik Gustafsson.
Goaltender Petr Mrazek pitched his first shutout in a Red Wings uniform since 2018 against the New Jersey Devils, helping the Red Wings move back to within a pair of points for the coveted Wild Card playoff position.
Johansson’s goal was particularly noteworthy, as he dangled around goaltender Ilya Samsonov before tucking the puck into the back of the net for the game’s opening goal.
He’s showing all of the poise of a seasoned veteran who has been in the NHL for a decade rather than a rookie with less than 50 games of experience, though you’d never know it according to head coach Todd McLellan.
“His game tonight was outstanding,” McLellan said of Johansson. “There were so many little things that he did when we didn’t have the puck in our end—breaking up plays, good read and react type stuff, situations where there was something dangerous about to happen and he was right there to kill the play.”
“Obviously his goal was a very nice goal, a poised goal, so those are all good things,” he continued. “His overall play, I don’t think there’s anybody in the hockey world that would walk into the arena and go, ‘That guy’s a rookie.’ So just his poise, his growth, his confidence, competitiveness, all the things that are really hard to measure. I think have made him a really good player for us.”
Not only did Johansson score his second-career goal at the NHL level, but he was also second overall in total ice time for Red Wings defensemen behind Moritz Seider.
Speaking of rookies, Kasper continues to thrive on Detroit’s second line flanked by Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat.
“I’m just trying to do my best wherever, whatever spot I’m put in, and every time I step on the ice, I’m trying to be the most competitive player on the ice,” Kasper explained. “Win all my battles, skate hard, and just do the right things.”
Since January 10, Kasper leads all NHL rookies with 11 goals; he’s also fourth overall in total points by a rookie since that date.
At just 20 years of age, Kasper is just getting started. Meanwhile, Johansson has earned himself a roster spot since being recalled from the AHL affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins following the early-January injury to Jeff Petry.
Both Kapser and Johansson will look to keep the playoff hopes of Detroit alive and well when they battle the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night.
