Elmer Söderblom scores in NHL debut as Detroit Red Wings blank Canadiens, 3-0, in opener

The hard work the Detroit Red Wings put in over the past four weeks showed as they opened the 2022-23 season.

Hosting their Original Six rival Montreal Canadiens Friday at Little Caesars Arena, the Wings played an up-tempo, in-your-face style that bodes well for their success. The new guys impressed — especially the biggest one — and fans were treated to an entertaining performance that ended with a 3-0 celebration.

The Wings had topped 35 shots on goal by the time they finally scored, and what a goal it was. Rookie Elmer Söderblom, the 6-foot-8 late-round 2019 pick who earned a spot out of camp, scored in his NHL debut when he tapped the puck in from the front of the net. Desperate for offense, the Habs pulled Jake Allen with 2:26 to play; it was Söderblom’s linemate Michael Rasmussen who took advantage and scored into an empty net. Defenseman Olli Määttä followed up with a shot from the red line that also sank into Montreal’s empty net.

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Strong start

Goalie Ville Husso had to be on his toes the first few shifts, but on the whole the Wings had a good opening period. There is always a good deal of emotion to a home opener, with players introduced one-by-one amid fanfare and flashing lights. Once they settled down, the Wings played up-tempo and did a good job creating chances. Jakub Vrana drew a penalty just past the five-minute mark, and the Wings’ power play units generated multiple looks and kept possession the entire two-minute stretch. A second power play again yielded multiple chances. The Wings were credited with 25 shots in the first period, while the Habs had 10.