Have to happy with the newcomers in this game.
M. Pettersson - a player with good range and always working off puck to create space. Moves puck quickly and smoothly, Is not going to blow you away with spectacular plays but is going to be good in transition. Comes as advertised and will help this defense
Chytil - Maybe will realize potential here. Has a good package - size, stick handling and speed are there. Has always been a player where you expected a little more. Matter of turning that raw skill into a finished product. At times a little individualistic and takes too much on himself.
Was likely the best forward on the team tonight and skills allowed him to stand out. Question is can he settle in and become the point producer he was, at times, in the past
O'Connor - had a good first game. Consistenly in the play and showed good speed and strenght. A north- south type who fit in well on the line Suter and Sherwood. SOS line.
Rest of team.
Good
Hoglander - did some good work low in the offensive end. His work should have produced some goals if others had some more finish. Last while has been a bit of Renaissance for this player. Hard work seems to be leading somewhere.
EP2 - looking excellent given age and lack of time at this level. If he was first round pick you'd be satisfied. His skating is already NHL level. Coverage around the net needs improvement (and that comes with experience) but all the basic tools seem there. If he can become NHL ready at this point he has huge upside.
Myers - bit of a drop off from recent games but still he was an overall positive.
Garland - got exposed on the winning goal but showed great hustle and drive through out the game.
Not Good
DeBrusk - looks very overpaid at the moment. Being squeezed our the play with ease. Board work looks shoody (because it is) and if he isn't scoring looks like a nothing player.
Boeser -shot when he should have passed, and passed when he should have shot. Having a dreadful season and, as I have repeated probably too much, he needs to traded ASAP. See what you can get before market for him disappears. Might do well elsewhere but, ATM, looks washed up as a steady point producer on this team. Skating looks so labored.
Others
Juulsen & Forbert - both of them played decently. Forbert is moving the puck better as the season goes on. Trouble is they break down at times and give up critical chances. Putting Soucy in the press box was IMO the right move. Too bad but he's been killing the team.
EP1 - puck management and defensive work was fine, but he has to produce more offense. Doesn't help being stuck with the wingers he presently is.
One thing I couldn't understand is why obvious Detroit penalties were not called. Don't know if the team without Hughes would have done much, but those mis-calls were repeated and also terrible.