After two frustrating losses in Tampa Bay, Jeff Blashill shook it up. He took his lineup and adjusted it.
It worked.
Detroit played one of the most complete games I have seen them play tonight. Athanasiou is starting to see more ice time, Brendan Smith played his ass off, Petr Mrazek stood tall, and the team altogether shut the door on Tampa. It was an encouraging skirmish in which Detroit did not allow Tampa to do anything. Good work by the coaching to make adjustments and optimize the lineup. Let's hope this momentum keeps building.