Detroit Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan planned a strategy that ultimately led to the team's first dominant win of the regular season over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The season opener for the Detroit Red Wings' historic centennial campaign was evidently not the way that the organization envisioned the beginning of such an important season, as they took a brutal 5-1 loss against the Montreal Canadiens.
That being said, things need to change for the better in order for this Original Six franchise to not only become contenders for this year but to also break their nine-year postseason absence.
According to the Red Wings' head coach, Todd McLellan, Saturday, October 11, against the Toronto Maple Leafs, is just the latest in what will be several tests for the team this season.
Detroit Red Wings head coach, Todd McLellan, plans strategy that led to the organization's win against the Maple Leafs
Moments before the Detroit Red Wings took a 6-3 win on Saturday, October 11, against their Original Six rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs, McLellan revealed his plans regarding the organization's new strategy.
"In the short term, it's a test, of course it is," he said of facing the Maple Leafs. "But in the big picture, we're going to get tested many times this season. As we pass one, we'll get challenged another night with new issues and problems. That's just where we are as a team and we're involving."
He continued:
"As far as letting players get in behind us, it's a five-man awareness situation, for lack of better words," McLellan stated. "When one thing happens, there's four other players who must react a certain way. We chose to be slow at it and chose not to do it. We chose to cheat the other night, and as a result, it cost us a game.»
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