The Daily: January Red Wings Are the Real Ones; NHL Trade Talk

The Detroit Red Wings were 5-9-1 in December and they are 9-2-1 in January. Who are the real Red Wings?

Bob Duff’s Thursday story asked whether the current edition of the Red Wings are for real? If Detroit beats Ottawa Wednesday, then it goes into the extended All-Star break with a 4-1 homestand record.

The biggest argument for the January Detroit squad being the real deal is that Alex Lyon is the team’s primary goalie. Lyon is 8-2-1 in January. Lyon played parts of only five Detroit games in December.

Alex Lyon stopped 28-of-30 shots to improve to 13-6-1 with a 2.49 goals-against average, a 0.924 save percentage and two shutouts in 20 appearances to begin his Red Wings tenure. Lyon is 10-0-1 this season when making 28 or more saves. Lyon’s confidence has fueled the team’s defensive confidence. They are playing better without the puck.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Detroit players, especially Michigan natives like Jeff Petry and Alex DeBrincat, are among those disappointed by the Lions loss. They were all in on rooting for the Lions.
• Patrick Kane could be back Wednesday. How does he fit back into the lineup.
• Paywall story: Jonatan Berggren posted a six-point weekend for the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Red Wings Next Game

The Red Wings complete their five-game homestand Wednesday with a game against the Ottawa Senators. The Red Wings are 3-1 on the homestand. Who’s hot: Andrew Copp has five goals and eight points in 12 games since Dec. 31. Copp has scored 10 goals this season, one more than he scored all of last season. Alex DeBrincat has 17 points (5-12-17) in 19 games since Dec. 18 vs. Anaheim.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Are the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames going to pursue Boston Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk? Col.umnist Jimmy Murphy explores the question.

New York: Oliver Wahlstrom’s first chance under new coach Patrick Roy may be his last with the New York Islanders.

New Jersey: Captain Nico Hischier says the New Jersey Devils need to play “pissed off.”

Philadelphia:  PHN writer Jonathan Bailey believes the Philadelphia Flyers recorded a steal on the Owen Tippett contract. s

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski explains why the Pittsburgh Penguins aren’t rebuilding and probably won’t