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Changes Afoot in Red Wings Lineup for Wednesday’s Game With Devils

Lyon in goal, Walman good to go, Veleno moving to top line

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5 months ago

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Joe Veleno, Red Wings
Joe Veleno wil skate on the top line as the Red Wings face New Jersey on Wednesday.

Considering how well Detroit’s NFL team is performing this season, perhaps it’s wise strategy by Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde to be putting the fate of his team in the capable hands of a Lyon.

Alex Lyon will be starting his second straight game in goal as the Red Wings are facing the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday at Little Caesars Arena.

“We’re going to go with Alex Lyon,” Lalonde said of his starting goalie for Wednesday. It will be the third straight game in which No. 1 goalie Ville Husso is not between the pipes. He didn’t participate in Detroit’s NHL Global Series in Sweden, returning home after his wife gave birth to their first child.

Lyon got his first start of the season in Friday’s 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“I liked what Alex gave us,” Lalonde said. It’s not fair to put Ville in considering this was his first practice in about a week. I liked what Alex gave us. We can build some confidence within the room.”

As a career No. 3 goalie, Lyon is accustomed to the role of not being called upon for long stretches of time.

“Health-wise and physically I feel great,” Lyon said. “I’ve had a lot of time to prepare and continue to try to get better. That’s been my focus and that’s where it’s gonna remain.”

Veleno To Red Wings Top Line

One switch that was evident during practice Tuesday was the decision to move Joe Veleno up to the club’s top forward unit alongside Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond. It’s a climb all the way up the ladder for Veleno. He began the season as Detroit’s fourth-line center.

“Skating,” is the asset Lalonde says Veleno will be bringing to the unit. “He gets north, he makes plays with some pace. He’s been pretty good in most situations, so I just think what he brings, a little more size, a little more north, might be able to give some chances to some guys toward the top of the lineup.”

Walman Good To Go

Defenseman Jake Walman, who left the loss to Toronto after crashing into a goal post, will be suiting up Wednesday.

“I just took a fall – even guys in the NHL fall – and unfortunately it was a pretty hard post that I went into,” Walman said. “Fortunate that it wasn’t something serious. Rattled me but that’s just about it.”

As a precaution, Lalonde was expecting to be going with 11 forwards and seven defensemen for the Devils game.

“I foresee Jake to be good to go,” Lalonde said. “When you go 11 and seven, which we’ve done three times and we’re 3-0 doing it, it gives that natural mix to the lines. A blender, if you will. So I think you’ll see a lot of different combinations.”

Even if it were to turn out that Walman has a set back between now and game time, Lalonde didn’t foresee the club recalling top deensive prospect Simon Edvinsson from AHL Grand Rapids.

“Probably not with seven healthy D,” Lalonde said. “Let him continue to grow his game. We’ve had positive reports from him down there, where he’s starting to get a more complete game. There’s less of those egregious mistakes, he’s finding his game. He’s growing the correct way.”

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