It was a long time coming for Detroit Red Wings forward Michael Rasmussen - 31 games, to be exact.
The former ninth overall selection by Detroit in the 2017 NHL Draft hadn't registered a point since January 5 of last season, but he came through in crunch time on Thursday evening.
With the score tied at 1-1 in the third period of Detroit's contest against the Philadelphia Flyers, Rasmussen sent a nifty pass from in tight to a waiting Andrew Copp, who tallied the game-winning goal with just under five minutes left in regulation.
ANDREW COPP GAME-WINNING GOAL pic.twitter.com/UbJ6Gz1nfK
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Copp may have broken a lengthy scoring drought, but for Rasmussen, his contributions this season have been noticed beyond the scoresheet.
"I think if you're scoring or assists, I think it's just good to get on the sheet," Copp said. "He's been making some good plays, and hopefully he'll get some confidence."
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As far as head coach Todd McLellan is concerned, he and his coaching staff won't evaluate him on his point produced - but rather, the elements his brings to the club that fans don't alwayssee.
"We're not going to sit here and evaluate Ras on points; that's just not how we're going to do it. Everyone else in the world can, but we're not. His contribution to the team so far has been through his size, which I think he's used well."
McLellan noted Rasmussen's roles on the penalty killing as well as the chance for a fresh start in 2026-27.
"He's played a solid seven games. And we talked to him when Training Camp came around about having a fresh start, and we'd give him every opportunity to have that.
I think he's held up his end of the bargain."
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