Detroit — Hard on the forecheck. Use speed to attack and recover pucks.
Win puck battles.
Shoot, often.
Fulfill assignments in the defensive zone. Get the puck out quickly.
For the first time in 11 days, the Red Wings checked a lot off their list Saturday. In the previous four games they were outscored 13-3, but they beat the Ducks 6-4.
The list works.
Will they keep checking off the tasks as they begin a stretch of 10 of 11 games on the road Monday against the Hurricanes?
Given the standings, even in mid-December, their margin for error is slight.