#LGRW Daily: Intensity ramped up in second Red Wings scrimmage

DETROIT --The pomp and circumstance of the BELFOR Training Center may not have been as lively for the Detroit Red Wings' second training camp scrimmage--compared to the first battle on Little Caesars Arena's main ice--but the intensity in Friday's scrimmage was definitely ratcheted up a notch.

Both sides were in a physical mood Friday night, with multiple players on both squads doling out thumping hits throughout the exhibition.
Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said he was pleased to see the increased intensity from both teams.
"I definitely saw it more tonight. I thought the habits were more (what) you need to have to get ready to play a real game," Blashill said. "I thought the intensity was higher, I thought we skated harder. I thought that was driven by guys like (Anthony) Mantha and (Dylan) Larkin and (Tyler) Bertuzzi, which is real important for us. They've got to be the guys driving the bus, and I think they did a real good job of it.
"And the rest of the team was really that way. I thought the intensity was real good. I think tonight's scrimmage helps us advance and get a little bit better. And it's more real and puts our guys in a better position to play that first game against Carolina."
That top line of Mantha, Larkin and Bertuzzi picked up where they left off from the first scrimmage, as Bertuzzi and Mantha combined for four goals and two assists to lead Team Red to a 7-2 victory over Team White.
Mantha agreed with his coach about the amplified intensity in the second scrimmage.
"Yeah, it was," Mantha said. "The other morning was the first game for everyone in a while. We just had to get that flowing around from summer hockey, and today was way better. I think everyone was intense. I think we're moving in the right direction."

Mantha, Larkin and Bertuzzi provided nearly a third of the Red Wings' offense last season, and Mantha said he's excited about his line's chemistry going into the 2021 campaign.
"We just know where the other guys are going to be on the ice, and quick plays, trying to roll around," Mantha said about Larkin and Bertuzzi. "Obviously, Bert - you always know he is going to handle the puck wherever it is. Larks is super quick, so he opens a lot of plays. I just try to find the open area and get a couple shots off."
Team Red also got goals from Larkin, Filip Zadina and Joe Hicketts, and enjoyed stellar goaltending from Thomas Greiss. The only goals Greiss gave up all night were on a breakaway by Taro Hirose in the second period and a traffic-plagued goal by Frans Nielsen in the third period when the result was well in hand.

And while the first line's offensive outburst was the biggest highlight of the second scrimmage, Blashill said he's extremely optimistic about the rebuilt back end of the Red Wings' lineup.
"It's been something that's been a real matter of focus for us," Blashill said about the defensive corps. "Not just in our own end, but just puck support, wanting the puck. It's not just on the D, it's who wants the puck. Putting themselves in position for who wants the puck, having poise with the puck. I think that's a big key in today's NHL against hard forechecks.
"The defense core all has the ability to deal with that. For me, their biggest strength as a group is they all can go out and make good, solid decisions. The game is chaotic. You have your systems, but guys have to make good decisions within those systems."
The Red Wings return to training camp practice on Saturday morning, with the third and final Red and White Scrimmage set for Sunday evening at 7 p.m., before the club hosts the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, January 14 for the season opener at Little Caesars Arena.
Fans can watch live coverage of all the training camp action on DetroitRedWings.com, and can catch behind-the-scenes access on social media by following @DetroitRedWings.