The Daily: Lucic Enters Players Assistance Program; Lyon Starts Tonight

Boston Hockey Now is reporting that Boston Bruins winger Milan Lucic has entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. That comes after Lucic pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault and battery on a family member at his arraignment in front of Suffolk County Superior Courthouse in Boston on Tuesday and was released on personal recognizance with a no-abuse order and no alcohol while the case is pending. A pre-trial date of Jan. 19 was set.

The provided BHN with this statement:  ‘The Boston Bruins have been in communication with the Lucic family, offering our support and assistance. The organization is supportive of Milan’s decision to enter the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance program. He remains on an indefinite leave of absence from the team. With respect to both his ongoing rehabilitation and the legal process, we will have no further comment at this time.’

Details of the arrest and allegations became public Saturday night and into Sunday morning. Reports say  Lucic’s wife, Brittany, said in her 911 call that Milan Lucic tried to choke her.

“The biggest thing for us is we care a lot about their family,” Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand said ahead of his team’s 5-2. win over the Montreal Canadiens at TD Garden on Saturday night. “We’re a family in here. We’re all very, very close, so we’re also very concerned, you know, and upset for them and what they’re going through. We have a lot of support for Brittany (Lucic’s wife) and the kids and Lucic himself.”

Red Wings Next Game

Alex Lyon will make his second start in goal for the Detroit Red Wings when they face the New Jersey Devils at Little Caesars Arena tonight. It will be interesting to see how the goalie rotation might change if he plays well in this game. Defenseman Jake Walman (undisclosed injury) hasn’t been ruled out. The Red Wings have only won three of their last 11 games. They are 3-5-3 in that span. Detroit has surrendered 42 goals (3.81 goals per game) in that span. The Red Wings have given up two or fewer goals only once in those 11 games.

Red Wings In Case You Missed it

• Based on what GM Steve Yzerman sees, Detroit could eventually be nicknamed the Swedish Red Wings again in the not so distant future.
• Coach Derek Lalonde is changing up his lineup with the hope of jump-starting the sputtering Red Wings
• Behind the paywall: Tim Robinson writes about how quickly Carter Mazur found his game after coming off the injured list.
• Lucas Raymond has been taking advice from Red Wings legend and fellow Swede Henrik Zetterberg.

Hockey Now Network

Chicago: Connor Bedard attracts so much of the spotlight that fans outside Chicago may not have noticed that the Blackhawks have a second impact rookie. Defenseman Kevin Korchinski has been impressive. Nate Brown has the details. Chicago Blackhawks.  

Florida: Niko Mikkola matches Connor McDavid’s output with two goals and the Florida Panthers end up with a win over the Edmonton Oilers. What was the probability of Mikkola’s production?

New Jersey: Nico Hischier is traveling with the New Jersey Devils, but won’t play against the Red Wings on Wednesday. Hischier hasn’t played since Oct. 27 because of injury.

Montreal: The Montreal Canadiens injuries continue to mount. Defenseman Jordan Harris is the latest Hab on the injured list. He’s out indefinitely.

Nashville: Michael Gallagher breaks down the Nashville Predators’ dramatic come-from-behind victory against the Colorado Avalanche. They scored twice in the final 37 seconds.

Pitttsburgh: Dave Molinari explains why the Pittsburgh Penguins No. 2 line has lost its scoring touch.