Notebook: Jordan Oesterle takes advantage of opportunity on blue line

DETROIT - Nothing is guaranteed in the NHL. For Red Wings defenseman and Dearborn Heights native Jordan Oesterle, patience has been the key.
While Oesterle has played in just seven games for Detroit this season, he has appeared in each of the last four along its blue line. When asked about his role after Monday's morning skate, the 29-year-old Oesterle said he is always ready for the moment when his number is called.

"I've gone through it before, in Chicago I went through the same situation," Oesterle said. "Just stay patient, be a good teammate, show up to the rink every day working. That's all you can do. But yeah, obviously it was tough not playing when I wanted to help the team. But we have great defensemen, so it is what it is, and someone is going to have to sit every night."
Oesterle, who signed a two-year deal in July's free agency period, has logged at least 16:00 of ice time in each of the past four contests, including a season-high 21:21 in the Thanksgiving Eve win over St. Louis. Oesterle earned a full-time role the previous three years in Arizona, compiling 44 points (10 goals, 34 assists) in 172 games, including 11 points in 43 games last season.

NEUTRALIZING BETTER AS OF LATE

Through 22 games, the Red Wings rank 24th in the NHL in penalty-killing with a 78.1-percent success rate. And while there remains room for improvement, Blashill said the penalty kill has emerged as a bright spot for Detroit as of late.
"I think the PK has been pretty solid. I think it's been pretty solid lately," Blashill said. "Doesn't mean you're not going to get scored on sometimes in the penalty kill. I think it's been structurally solid, so we just got to make sure we do a good job of it."
Detroit had to kill just one penalty against Buffalo on Saturday, and had its impressive streak of 19 consecutive penalty kills end against St. Louis, when the Blues scored a first-period power-play goal.

ADVANTAGE ON HOME ICE

The Red Wings improved to 7-2-2 at Little Caesars Arena after pulling away from Buffalo in overtime, tied for the eighth-best home record in the NHL this season.
"We play well here," Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin said. "The fans have been showing up, the atmosphere has been great. We just get excited to be here."
Through 11 home games, Detroit has recorded 16 points. The Red Wings have averaged 3.09 goals for per home game, and surrendered an average of just 2.45 goals against at Little Caesars Arena.
Saturday's victory was also Detroit's third consecutive home win. The Red Wings will look to make it four straight when the expansion Seattle Kraken come to town on Wednesday for the first of three home games in six days.

RAYMOND EARNING HIS SPOT, AND THEN SOME

Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond has appeared in all 22 games during his rookie season, and more than earned his spot. He's been especially impactful at home.
Last week, the 19-year-old scored one goal in each of Detroit's games at Little Caesars Arena, including the game-winner in overtime against Buffalo on Nov. 24. In 11 home games, Raymond has tallied seven points, including four goals and three assists.
"I think he's got a chance to be a really good player," Blashill said. "But he's got to prove it on a night-to-night basis and if we sit here after the season, and he's had a whole bunch more milestones, then he gives you more reason to believe that's what he is."
One month after fellow rookie Moritz Seider earned the award, Raymond could very well be in the mix for the NHL's Rookie of the Month for November. Raymond has 12 points on five goals and seven assists in 13 games played this month. Raymond and the Red Wings will wrap up their November slate on Tuesday night at Boston.

SMITH ADDITION SHOWED PROMISE ON SECOND LINE

For the second consecutive day in practice, the Red Wings' second line consisted of forwards Robby Fabbri, Pius Suter and Givani Smith on Monday morning.
Last week, Blashill said the addition of Smith could provide the Red Wings' second line with a "net presence, a big body."
Against Buffalo on Saturday, the combination debuted on the ice in a game for the first time. Suter scored the Red Wings' second goal against Buffalo, with Smith combining on the assist with Larkin.