Sat 18.3. NHL match Detroit – Colorado at 18:55 TV2
Ville Husso, 28, has made 49 saves this season, which is the second most among Finnish NHL goaltenders. Only Nashville Juuse Saros has more matches under his belt, 51.
Husso has performed perfectly between the posts. Although the Detroit Red Wings will not make it to the playoffs with these prospects, the HIFK graduate has been able to save his team a respectable 25 wins with a save percentage of 90.2. In his three previous matches, Husso has prevented his crew from winning two (Boston and Chicago upside down).
– The season has gone well and I have been satisfied with my performance so far. Of course, I would like the statistics to be even better. I don’t focus on them myself, but go forward one game at a time. There have been a lot of games, when usually my maximum has been 40 matches in a season. There are still 15 games left in the season, and they can still be affected.
Last season, Husso had the mantle of first baseman when he was already playing for the St. Louis Blues, and now it is also in Detroit.
– When the information came in the summer that I wouldn’t necessarily continue in St. Louis, then Detroit immediately came to (the patterns). I was excited to come to Detroit, even though I didn’t know anything about the place beforehand. The framework is in good condition, the hall is also only five to six years old. I was immediately welcomed by the management, the coaching staff and the players, it was easy to come here.
– I have been able to play a lot, and the coaching has given me credit, which has been nice to notice. It brings such relaxation to daily activities. There have been more new situations and experiences, as well as small, different things that I have been able to handle well, Husso estimates.
Steve Yzerman – Number 19
Legendary puck personality, Detroit’s current GM Steve Yzerman washed Husson for the next three years last summer.
– He is a legend here and everyone has great respect for him. You can already see that from the fact that the teams are still wearing Yzerman jerseys in the hall. He follows a lot of training and games and travels when necessary, says Husso.
Those who follow the NHL fondly remember the legendary number 19. It is always associated with Yzerman.
– When Yzerman played in his time, he always crumpled so hard. Perhaps a similar intensity can be seen in the fact that the team wants the same thing in training. He does know exactly where we are going at the moment, Husso adds.
According to the Finnish opinion, Yzerman brings a high level of demands to the Red Wings.
– Everyday work is looked at and it is also required. Surely the club management would like to have a few more wins. I myself would like to be able to give the team a chance to win every night, Husso reflects.
Six years without the playoffs
The Detroit Red Wings belong to the Original Six clubs, which were already involved before the expansion of the league in 1967. The traditional NHL club is the third most successful club in the league in terms of championships, as there are a total of 11 championships (from the years 1936, 1937, 1943, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2008).
Currently, however, the Red Wings are the tenth worst team in the NHL based on the standings and have not made the playoffs in six years. In Detroit, a solid foundation is currently being built for hopes of success in the coming years. At some point, the club is supposed to start forging a result that will be noticed in the entire taala league.
– We have a lot of young players, and as a team we are just going in the direction we want to go. In training, you can see that everyone has a burning desire to improve, Husso describes.
Detroit is in the midst of rebuilding.
– Little by little, we are in a situation where in the next few years we have to start reaching the playoffs first and then start winning, of course that requires a lot. We are in a good position, and even this season there is still a theoretical possibility of reaching the playoffs. Next season there will certainly be bigger expectations and goals, Husso knows.
The next Nicklas Lindström is around the corner
Husso does not dare to guess where Detroit will go in two to three years.
– First you have to get to the playoffs, and then anything can happen. Every player has to train hard and get even better. When we play well as a team, the result will also come through that. This season we have already been able to win the so-called first teams. We know that we are already close to that level, Husso states.
The biggest expectations in Detroit are directed at a few young promises, who are expected to soon take on the roles of leading players and act as cornerstones of the organization.
– Striker Lucas Raymond20, and defender Moritz Seider, 21, are both really good players, for example. It’s nice to watch them every day.
The 20-year-old, nearly two-meter-tall Swedish defender is gaining interest in the farm Simon Edvinssonwhich is a 2021 first-round six reservation.
– He should be next Nicklas Lindström. I got to see him at the training camp during the season, and he was a good boy. I’m looking forward to when he gets a chance up top, Husso enthuses.
Husso follows in the footsteps of Hasek, Vernon and Osgood
In the ranks of the Red Wings, such well-known puck stoppers as Mike Vernon, Chris Osgood and of course Dominik Hasek.
– The goalkeeper is always alone in the goal, and the pressure is intense. I have personally learned in the last couple of seasons how to handle pressure. Personally, I always try to load up for games in the same way, whether it’s a regular season game or a playoffs game. At least this season, my head has stayed together, and I haven’t felt like I’m in some kind of pressure cooker, says Husso.
Detroit is nine points out of the playoff wild card spot with only 15 games remaining in the regular season. In theory, the dream is still alive, but in practice it is almost out of reach.
– After the end of the trading period, it has been a couple of fast-paced weeks. Tyler Bertuzzi and Filip Hronek they left. However, they were a big part of this team. This is ultimately a business, but it was unfortunate when we were close to the playoffs. After that, maybe a few games passed us by, and we didn’t get the best out of it, Husso refers to the six-game losing streak.
Has Detroit already thrown in the towel on the playoffs?
– We go one game and one day at a time. We don’t think too much about what will happen in a month. You have to believe in possibilities, says Husso.
Hot Detroit vs Colorado games are no longer a memory
According to Suomalaisvahti, Detroit is still a tough puck city. It was known as such a couple of decades ago.
– The city can be said to be a puck city at heart. The club has many hockey legends, and it shows in the hall. Lidström’s and Yzerman’s shirts can still be found.
– In addition, old greats often visit the hall. It has been nice to meet them and talk with them. Although we haven’t been successful in recent years, the fans still fill the hall and the mood is good, Husso reminds.
In TV2’s NHL match, they will meet on Saturday 19.3. Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche, whose encounters were heated and full of dramatic events in the 1990s.
– A documentary has been made about the Colorado vs Detroit series. I don’t know if the game is as hard as it was back then. According to the documentary, there were a lot of hard tackles and fights at that time. That’s unlikely to happen in Saturday’s game. A tough game is coming up on Saturday, and if it’s needed, we’ll have toughness if needed. Every team wants to beat champion Colorado this season, emphasizes Husso.