The Detroit Red Wings hadn’t won since March 21. Alex Lyon hadn’t won since Feb. 27.

Both of those skids came to a halt Monday, and so did the gloom and doom surrounding Detroit’s diminishing playoff chances.

David Perron’s goal with 2:40 left in regulation time would snap a 2-2 tie, propelling the Red Wings to a 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The outcome brought a halt to Detroit’s 0-2-2 losing skid during this five-game road trip.

Back on top! DP_57 bangs home the rebound, and the Red Wings re-take the lead late in the third period! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/7pAhCOo68d

— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) April 2, 2024

“None bigger goal than DP’s goal at the end and he’s been in the battle the whole season, he always is,” Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin told Bally Sports Detroit. “For him to score the big one, it was just a veteran player that knows how to play in these big games.”

It’s also the first time in franchise history that the Red Wings have swept a season series of three or more games from the Lightning. As well, Detroit was ending a nine-game (0-7-2) winless drought on the road.

Red Wings Tied With Capitals

More significantly, the outcome is leaving Detroit and Washington in a deadlock for the final Eastern Conference wild card playoff spot. Each team has 82 points. However, the Capitals (73 games) hold two games in hand on the Red Wings and the first tiebreaker. Washington has 28 regulation wins, compared to 26 for Detroit.

Lucas Raymond puts the exclamation point on this one with an empty netter! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/agHlqfLq4R

— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) April 2, 2024

“We’ve been playing really good team hockey recently,” Perron said. “Obviously, we know how many points we need to keep advancing, being in the fight. I’ve liked our recent play. We just gotta keep pushing, keep getting points.”

Elsewhere Monday, the Philadelphia Flyers were losing 4-3 in overtime to the New York Islanders. The OT point was enough to move Philly (83 points) back into third spot in the Metropolitan Division, ahead of the Capitals. But the Flyers have played 76 games.

Rasmussen Suffers Injury Late In Game

Center J.T. Compher won the offensive-zone draw that led to Perron’s game winner. He led all Detroit forwards in ice time with 23:10.

Lucas Raymond would tally an empty netter. Patrick Kane and Robby Fabbri scored earlier to twice give the Red Wings the lead, only to see the Lightning tie it each time.

“It’s been hard,” Larkin admitted. “These games have been hard, intense. (In this game) we got rewarded with playing the right way and hard, battling.”

Ending a personal 0-8-2 slide, Detroit goalie Lyon was stellar, blocking 34 shots.

“Even when things weren’t going his way he just stuck with it,” Larkin said. “Like I said, it’s hard. You got (Nikita) Kucherov and (Brayden) Point out there. They’re roaming around, making world-class plays.”

At the other end of the spectrum, fourth-line center Joe Veleno played just 4:42.

“Veleno, just kind of ran into some matchup issues, some special teams, we used him late a couple times,” Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said.

Late in the, winger Michael Rasmussen left the ice following a collision along the boards.

“Ras left with an upper body,” Lalonde said. “Don’t know much more about it.”

The post Red Wings Back in Playoff Hunt With Sweep of Lightning appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Other than the final outcome, there was plenty to like about the performance of the Detroit Red Wings in Saturday’s 1-0 loss to the Nashville Predators.

“You want to win every game but ultimately what you’re looking for is to play the game the right way and to just bring your best and have a good effort,” Detroit goalie Alex Lyon told Bally Sports Detroit.

“It felt like we had that tonight, in a hostile building against a good team that’s obviously playing really well right now.”

On the one hand, he’s right, but here’s the thing – during a late-season playoff race, the bottom line is that the outcome is all that matters. A team isn’t looking to make a point with their play. They’re looking to gain two points in any manner possible.

The Red Wings needs wins. Instead, they are starting a rugged five-game road swing with their sixth successive loss away from the friendly confines of Little Caesars Arena, where they’ve won three in a row.

Detroit is going into Washington for a massive Tuesday showdown clinging to a one-point lead over the Capitals for the NHL’s second Eastern Conference wild card playoff spot. And that could evaporate prior to game time. The Capitals are playing host to the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday.

Much Improvement In Red Wings Performance

There were indded some positive developments for the Red Wings in defeat. It was the first time in six road games that that margin of defeat wasn’t by multiple goals. Detroit held a road opponent under two goals for the first time in seven contests.

“I think we just played a real solid 60 minutes,” Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider said. “I think we deserved a little more tonight but we’ll definitely recover from that, come back stronger.

“We’ll be prepared for the next couple of games.”

That being said, Detroit’s sudden lack of offense is a major concern. Play as well as you want. If you don’t illuminate the red light behind the other team’s net, you’ll never win. And this was the third time in 11 games that Detroit has been shutout. Over the last eight road games the Red Wings are averaging 1.75 goals per game.

JUICE

Juuse Saros helps the @PredsNHL pick up their 17th straight game with a point with his third @pepsi shutout of the season! pic.twitter.com/oyp4uHsLc9

— NHL (@NHL) March 23, 2024

The latest goose brought to a halt point streaks for defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (seven games) and forwards Lucas Raymond and Patrick Kane (six games each). Meanwhile, 23-goal scorer Alex DeBrincat was failing to dent the twine for the 12th successive game.

Dylan Larkin (first period) and Joe Veleno (second period) were robbed on point-blank chances by Predatords goalie Juuse Saros.

Forsberg The Decider

It was a third-period goal by Filip Forsberg that would extend Nashville’s team point streak to 17 games (15-0-2). The goal came from a tire fire of a shift by the Red Wings in their own zone.

SCORESBERG pic.twitter.com/xejrm31Lby

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 23, 2024

Somehow, Lyon kept the puck from crossing the goal line during a wild goalmouth scramble. Following up, the stickless Detroit netminder was making a desperation blocker save on a Roman Josi shot. Recycling that rebound to Forsberg, his high wrist shot finally would beat Lyon on the glove side.

“I think we lost a little bit of our composure and then, it’s on a stick, it’s off a stick and it’s in the back of the net,” Seider said.

The post Red Wings Got Everything They Need . . . Almost appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Over the past two summers, Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman has sought to address his team’s center position. He’s given lengthy term to both Andrew Copp (five years, $28.125 million) and J.T. Compher (five years, $25.5 million).

Thowing money at the problem isn’t solving the problem, though. The injury absence of captain Dylan Larkin is seving to yet again establish what most everyone in the game already knew.

The Red Wings still don’t have a second legit top-six center on the club’s roster, a player capable of consistently driving offense.

That’s not to suggest that Copp and Compher aren’t offering value to the team. Copp is a tenacious forechecker and stout penalty killer.

“I don’t think Steve had the vision of needly only the offense out of them,” Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said of Copp and Compher. “It’s growing our depth.”

Clearly, though, Copp is not a No. 2 center. He has two assists with Larkin out of the lineup. He’s goalless over the past 16 games.

Compher is a solid 200-foot player capable of helping the team in many areas.

“I’ve got to be careful how I use him,” Lalonde admitted. “There’s some games he’s getting 22, 23 (minutes). I don’t know if that’s healthy or productive for him over time.”

While he’s filled in as a second-line center during his NHL career, over the long haul on a quality team, Compher is merely an upgraded version of Copp. He’s not a No. 2 center.

JT on the power play. pic.twitter.com/winRi1r2NW

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) March 10, 2024

His goal against Vegas on Saturday was Compher’s first point in five games.

Veleno Not The Answer For Red Wings

Lalonde sought to utilize Joe Veleno as Larkin’s replacement between Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat on the club’s top line. The results speak volumes about this not being the answer. In three games, Veleno is pointless and -3. The Red Wings coach gave up the experiment on Saturday, moving Compher into the top-line slot.

“He needs to be more assertive with the puck,” Lalonde said of Veleno.

The more you see of Veleno, the less appealing he becomes, although admittedly, it didn’t start out that way. He’s played 15+ minutes of ice time in 29 games this season. Over the first 12 games, his production showed four goals, three assists and a +3 rating. In 17 games since, Veleno has one goal, three assists and is -14.

When he’s been asked to step up in Larkin’s absence this season, the data adds up even more abysmally. In those nine games, Veleno is 1-2-3 and -9.

Kasper Cut From Same Cloth

According to NHL scouts who’ve seen a lot of Marco Kasper this season with AHL the Grand Rapids Griffins, he’s going to be more of the same. His 200-foot game is outstanding. Kasper plays with an edge to his game.

Will Detroit’s top pick in the 2022 NHL entry draft produce consistently at the NHL level? Most hockey people doubt it.

Nate banks one home for his 21st of the season! pic.twitter.com/lgPUPSbkAo

— Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) March 7, 2024

In fact, the only center currently in the Detroit system who’s showing an offensive upside is Nate Danielson. Chosen ninth overall in the 2023 draft, Danielson is displaying 21 goals and 56 points in 48 WHL games this season. Since moving from the Brandon Wheat Kings to the Portland Winterhawks, Danielson has accounted for 9-21-30 totals over 22 games.

The post Red Wings Center Position Needs More Attention appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Joe Veleno’s value as an NHL player is that he can be effective on the first line, fourth line and all lines in between. He serves as coach Derek Lalonde’s five-in-one tool.

“(There are a) ton of guys like that in our lineup and I think it’s helped our depth and made us competitive all year, the ability to play (Veleno) on the wing, center,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “Our No. 1 center goes down, have him jump right in at center.”

Veleno will center Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane Wednesday night when the Red Wings play the Colorado Avalanche in Denver. The speedy Veleno said recently that he believes he has played with every forward on the roster at one time or another this season.  He’s played on all four lines. He’s also been a penalty killer and spent time on the power play.

He can skate, check, play defensively and contribute just enough offensively to contribute to every aspect of Detroit’s game

“(Andrew) Copp is similar like that,” Lalonde said “(Michael Rasmussen) is similar. I think extremely valuable, especially in today’s NHL. ”

More Minutes

The 2018 first round pick averaged 13:59 minutes per game, but will be closer to 20 minutes when he replaces the injured Dylan Larkin.

Veleno, 24, has taken advantage of his expanded opportunity to put up 11 goals and 26 points.

“I think it’s just confidence in his game,” Lalonde said. “He’s always had the pop in his skating. Needs to be a little more assertive with the puck. I think what’s really impressive this year is last year he started to tail off towards the second half of the season. That has not been the case. That’s a credit to him and his growth.”

Veleno said he doesn’t feel he has to change who he is to play with Kane and DeBrincat.

“I still want to play my game and what’s given me success,” Veleno said. “Kind of what’s maybe put me in this spot to begin with. Obviously, they’re two highly-skilled players that demand the puck and want the puck, so I’m definitely gonna try to be strong on pucks, win some battles. Definitely try to make them play with the puck like they want to. Just gonna try to help them out in any way I can contribute.”

Fischer Earns More Responsibility

Veleno said his objective was to continue playing the right way. “Try to earn as much trust as I can get,” Veleno said.

With Veleno moving up to the top line, Christian Fischer’s work as fourth-line center becomes more important. Coaches have liked his work there.

“Reliable. Very valuable for us.” Lalonde said. “Wherever he is in our lineup we just ask him to win shifts for us. He does that. He’s predictable, he’s simple. He gets his nose over pucks, he goes to hard areas. I know Larks made that joke in here six weeks ago – second assist assist, the unseen assist. But there’s truth to it. You look at a lot of our offense, a lot of our sustained zone time, it’s usually him keeping the forecheck alive, it’s him getting over a puck, winning a battle, being net front in a shot scramble situation. Been a very, very valuable player for us.”

The post Veleno Has Made Himself Indispensable to the Red Wings appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

A year ago Tuesday, the team from Canada’s capital city let the Detroit Red Wings know that they weren’t a playoff team.

Tuesday, it was the Red Wings who were letting the team from America’s capital city know that they weren’t a playoff team.

Are the Red Wings a playoff team? No, not officially. Not yet.

It sure does seem much closer to being a reality today, though, doesn’t it?

8 goals, 2 points!#EasyToCelebrate | #LGRW pic.twitter.com/BFxkaPuNWW

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 28, 2024

Starting what is arguably the biggest week of hockey the franchise has played over the past seven years, the Red Wings completely doused the Washington Capitals 8-3.

It was Feb. 27 last year when Detroit went into Ottawa still holding realistic hopes of chasing down a place in the postseason. After a 6-2 whipping, those dreams were put on the skids. That setback was the second of what would become a six-game slide, ending all of the playoff dreams the Red Wings held.

Tuesday’s drubbing of the Capitals was extending Detroit’s current winning streak to six games. Holding down the first Eastern Conference Wild Card position with 72 points, the Red Wings are three ahead of Tampa Bay with two games in hand. They’re now nine in front of the Capitals, and leading New Jersey and the New York Islanders by a massive 10-point margin.

Dare they dream even bigger? Detroit is only two back of Toronto for third in the Atlantic Division. And the Red Wings are holding a game in hand on the Maple Leafs.

“These four-point games are new for us,” Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said. “This late in the season, there’s a little extra urgency to them. But that team that’s chasing, they’re literally playing for their season.”

Red Wings Displaying Killer Instinct

The Islanders come to Little Caesars Arena on Thursday. Will they be Detroit’s next victim? The Red Wings are 8-1-2 at home in the New Year.

Tuesday, Washington was never given a chance to really get into the game. The Red Wings would net a season-high for goals. In fact, it’s the first time Detroit potted eight goals in a game since an 8-2 victory over Calgary on Nov. 15, 2017. This is the club’s first six-game win streak since 2019. The Red Wings haven’t won seven in a row since 2011.

Make it 8. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/y8xmZcPMZU

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 28, 2024

Yet it all seems possible for this club. The balance in attack was evidenced in the fact that 13 of 18 skaters would collect a point. Seven of them would enjoy multi-point games. Detroit has accounted for 5+ goals in 33.9% of the club’s games this season.

“For the most part we’ve been playing really good, been really consistent in our game,” Detroit forward Joe Veleno said. “Even when they have these little sparks in the offensive zone and they’re humming around, we do a good job of staying composed, playing really well structurally and defensively.

“We’re a skilled team. We know we can score goals. We just got to stay patient with that and we have been.”

Detroit Flexing On Rest Of NHL

The Red Wings are flexing their muscles. They’ve outscored the opposition 28-10 during this six-game run of success. They’re informing the rest of the NHL that yes, they are indeed the real deal.

“I know it definitely feels a lot better when you’re in this position,” Veleno said. “I love playing hockey and love being a part of winning teams and always have been for the most part of my childhood.

“For me, I love playing in these kind of games. I love playing in big moments. A whole lot of fun. I think anyone can tell you that on our team, when we’re in this position we’re hot, we’re climbing and it’s really fun to be a part of.”

The post Red Wings Displaying Killer Instinct as Playoff Spot Draws Nearer appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Detroit Red Wings goalie Ville Husso doesn’t drive a DeLorean, his nickname isn’t Marty McFly, but he is heading back to the future. And that’s terrible news for both him and the team.

Meeting with reporters prior following Thursday’s pre-game skate in Vancouver, Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde was sharing the bad news that Husso is out week to week due to a lower body injury. It’s the second lengthy absence for the Detroit goalie this season due to a lower body ailment. He was hurt barely nine minutes into his return to NHL action on Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers.

“It’s very unfortunate for him, especially because he’s fought and worked very hard to get back to this point,” Lalonde said on the team’s website.

A knee injury Husso suffered Dec. 18 at Little Caesars Arena against the Anaheim Ducks put the Finnish netminder on the shelf for 18 games. Any way you slice it, if the Red Wings are going to make a run at an NHL playoff spot over the final 3o games of the season, their goaltender is in the hands of journeyman veteran Alex Lyon.

Vancouver, BC. pic.twitter.com/wyY482muYv

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 15, 2024

So far, Lyon has answered the bell. Though he faltered in Tuesday’s 8-4 loss to the Oilers, overall, Lyon has provided steadiness between the pipes. In 23 games, he’s been good for 14 wins, a 2.76 goals-against average and .915 save percentage.

However, he’s already well over his previous single-season NHL games played high of 15. How will Lyon hold up down the stretch when he has to keep playing night after night?

Check out the ny state sports betting analyzed by Sportytrader to see the odds being offered on this game by the top online sportsbooks.

Fabbri A Father

Robby Fabbri’s personal leave from the Red Wings will be coming to an end when he rejoins the club for Saturday’s game at Calgary. Fabbri took to social media revealing the reason for his absence. The news is delightful.

Congrats to the Fabbri family pic.twitter.com/uwFml1PAyt

— Jenny (@jendog_18) February 14, 2024

Fabbri and his wife Kass have welcomed their first child, a girl. Fabbri put a post of their new daugher on his Instagram account.

Red Wings Heading To Ohio Stadium

Will the Red Wings be the next Michigan squad to put a whipping on a team from Ohio at Ohio Stadium? Though there’s been no official confirmation of this news from the NHL, published reports are suggesting that the Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets will be playing an outdoor game at the famous horseshoe in the Buckeye State.

It will be part of the NHL Stadium Series and would take place on March 1, 2025.

The post Red Wings Notebook: Husso Out Long Term; Detroit Heading Outdoors appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

When it comes to personal achievements, Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin is generally loathe to talk about himself. Even in discussing the fact that he’s the first Detroit player to reach double digits in goals for a month in nearly a decade, Larkin was adeptly turning it into a conversation about how well the team was playing during the just-completed first month of 2024.

“It’s one of those times I guess where you’re feeling good and the team’s playing well,” Larkin said following Wednesday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators. “It’s just nice to contribute when the team’s winning.”

DYLAN LARKIN!!! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/PEoyUdjYy0

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 1, 2024

Larkin wound up scoring in the third period, making it 2-2. His goal sent the game to OT, securing a point for Detroit. The Red Wings finshing mark for January was 9-2-2.

As for Larkin, he’s collected points in 12 consecutive games. His goal was his team-leading 23rd of the season and 10th in January. Larkin became the first Red Wings skater to record 10 goals in a calendar month since Justin Abdelkader did so in March 2015 (10-3-13 in 15 games).

Milestone For Veleno

Red Wings center Joe Veleno drew an assist on Detroit’s other goal Wednesday, a tally by Daniel Sprong. Veleno, the 30th player selected in the 2018 NHL entry draft, was skating in his 200th NHL game.

“It’s obviously a pretty cool accomplishment,” Veleno said. “Pretty happy about that for myself.”

Satisfaction isn’t a sentiment that Veleno wants to linger, mind you.

“I want to keep playing more games,” Veleno said. “I’m gonna keep working on my game and try to get better as a player and do my best to be successful.”

Veleno has logged 20 points (9-11-20) in 48 games this season. That matches his career high set in 2022-23 (9-11-20 in 81 games).

Game 500! pic.twitter.com/M4BSz8ZtVO

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 1, 2024

Ice Chips

It was also a milestone night for Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat. He was playing in his 500th NHL game. DeBrincat became the third member of the 2016 NHL Draft class to reach the 500-game milestone, joining Matthew Tkachuk (559) and Auston Matthews (526) . . . Detroit has 63 goals scored by players who were not with the team last season, which marks the most of any NHL club.

The post Red Wings Notebook: Larkin Hits Double Digits; Milestones for Veleno, DeBrincat appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

ANAHEIM —How sweep it is!

Michael Rasmussen’s goal off a deflection was the difference as the Red Wings finished a three-game road trip with a 3-2 victory on Sunday night.

Big Ras Game-winner#EasyToCelebrate x #LGRW pic.twitter.com/put1uVcofP

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 8, 2024

The sweep ended a pair of droughts. It was the first for the Red Wings in California since the 2007-08 season, the last year the team won the Stanley Cup. It also was the first winning trip to California since 2015-16.

Alex Lyon has made five consecutive starts in net and he has won four of them. He stopped 29 of 31 shots against the Ducks.

“Winning on the road in any capacity is extremely tough,” Lyon said. “But again, you know, we can’t just kind of rest on it too much. We just need to turn the page and and get ready. We have a very difficult stretch coming up here against a lot of quality opponents ,so we just have to build on it.”

A key part of the victory was the Red Wings’ penalty-killing unit, which extended its streak to 20 in a row over the last nine games, including a 5-on-3 in the second period.

“Detail organized as much as we’ve had some practice time and some other areas,” coach Derek Lalonde said. “We also got some practice time with our special teams of late and it’s been huge for us.”

Rasmussen deflected a shot by Moritz Seider past Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal with 1:07 remaining. The goal withstood a review as Rasmussen and the Wings waited.

“I thought it hit my stick a little, so I wasn’t too nervous,” Rasmussen said, “but I’m always nervous when they go check it out for sure.”

Red Wings Overcome Slow Start

Anaheim got on the board almost immediately, when Trevor Zegras tipped a shot past Lyon just 20 seconds into the game.

“Obviously it’s not a recipe for success” Lalonde said 0f the early goal. “You know, obviously\ analytically, if they have the first goal you don’t usually win, so credit the guys. Obviously, you got some spark for the power play. Not only did a score, but got some looks, and it gave us a little bit of momentum.”

The Wings tied it on a power-play goal by Dylan Larkin later in the first. He left the game late in the period after he was cross-checked in the back. He returned to the ice at the beginning of the second.

Joe Veleno gave the Wings the lead with a wraparound goal in the second period.

Upon review…

THAT'S A GOOD GOAL FOR JOEY V! pic.twitter.com/bqUalmYHzN

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 8, 2024

Zegras tied it with his second goal of the night early in the third period.

The Red Wings  were scheduled to practice in California today before flying home. They will play host to Edmonton on Thursday;

The post California Sweeping: Red Wings End Perfect Road Trip appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Detroit Red Wings forward David Perron got off the snide in Tuesday’s win over the San Jose Sharks. His two-goal performance marked the first time that Perron was denting twine sinice a similar two-goal outburst Nov. 26 against the Minnesota Wild.

Now that he’s going ahead, here’s a look at five other Red Wings players who need to shake the doldrums and get back to doing what they do best in order to help the club move back into the NHL playoff picture.

Red Wings Copp Goalless For 25 Games

Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s have come and gone since Detroit forward Andrew Copp last scored a goal. For that matter, so have Veterans Day, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

It was Nov. 7 at Madison Square Garden when Copp scored for the second game in a row against his old club the New York Rangers. That was 25 games ago.

After Copp was posting a career-high 21-goal season in a campaign split between the Winnipeg Jets and Rangers, Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman was opting to sign Copp to a five-year, $28,125,000 UFA contract.

FIRST SHARKS GOAL OF 2024@FabianZetterlun | #SJSharks pic.twitter.com/1YqdjsOCwA

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) January 3, 2024

It’s not looking like money well spent. Last season, his first in Detroit, Copp was limited to nine goals. Part of the reason for his decline in production was chalked up to offseason core surgery.

There’s been no such health issues this season, yet Copp is on pace to score just 11 goals. He was minus-three in Tuesday’s 5-3 win at San Jose. Copp diod manage to accidentally push the puck into the Red Wings net for what the soccer folk call an own goal.

A lower-body injury is leaving Copp as questionable for Thursday’s game at Los Angeles, which at this point, could be looked upon as a blessing in disguise.

Fabbri Fading Fast

There was a buzz of excitement when forward Robby Fabbri netted seven goals in his first 11 games coming back from his latest injury. Lately, he’s dried up like skin in winter.

Fabbri has gone 10 games without a goal. He’s dished out one assist in that span and is minus five.

Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde played Fabbri as his fourth-line center against the Sharks.

Gostisbehere A 5-on-5 Nightmare

Here are two stats that will give you pause. Over his past eight games, Red Wings defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere has accounted for 2-3-5 totals. Through his last six games, Gostisbehere is also minus-11.

Advanced stats and eye test confirming how I’ve felt about Gostisbehere lately https://t.co/SjMvThrBk8

— Buschy – Red Wings Report (@buschyRWR) January 3, 2024

When it comes to being a reliable 5-on-5 performer, the Ghost is ghosting Detroit. He was a minus-three at San Jose, dropping him to a team-worst minus-17. He’s proving to be what Gostisbehere’s reputation says he is – a guy who will make your power play click, but can’t be trusted defensively at even strength.

Veleno Has Vanished

Like Fabbri, Veleno was turning heads early on when he scored five goals during a five-game span in October. The 2018 first-round pick was even earning minutes skating on Detroit’s top forward line.

Tuesday, Veleno found himself skating alongside Fabbri on the fourth line. He’s tallied twice over the past 27 games. Veleno is minus-11 in his past 12 games.

Red Wings Need More From Moritz

It would be wrong to suggest that Moritz Seider’s overall game has been poor. However, what’s been entirely noticeable lately is that Detroit’s No. 1 defenseman is making some very un-Seider-like errors.

In the New Year’s Eve loss to Boston, Seider sought to skate the puck out of the Detroit zone past two defenders when he was literally the only Red Wings player on the ice who was involved in the play. There have been ill-advised pinches leading to odd-man rushes the opposite way, and soft clearance attempts that were easily intercepted. He endured a run from Dec. 7-27 in which he was minus-eight.

No one expects Seider to be perfect. However, with Detroit’s lack of depth of quality defenders, the Red Wings need to be able to count on him to be making wise decisions with the puck.

The post Five Red Wings Who Need to Get Going appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The return to health of forwards Christian Fischer and Joe Veleno led to the Detroit Red Wings returning Jonatan Berggren and Austin Czarnik to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins.

Detroit coach Derek Lalonde confirmed that Fischer and Veleno, each out of action the past two games, were good to go for Sunday’s home date with the Boston Bruins. That meant something had to give roster-wise. Unfortunately for Berggren, he’s the one player whose departure creates the least headaches for the Red Wings.

UPDATE: The #RedWings today assigned right wing Jonatan Berggren and center Austin Czarnik to the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. pic.twitter.com/3stit8Et0v

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 30, 2023

Berggren isn’t required to clear NHL waivers to be assigned to the minor leagues. He’s the only forward who’s played for Detroit this season who still fits into that category.

While that’s certainly not a popular move with the fanbase, DHN colleague Kevin Allen recently offered a well-reasoned out explanation as to why Berggren is finding himself as the odd man out.

He’s certainly delivering the goods at the AHL level, Berggren is sitting second on the Griffins in scoring with 7-11-18 numbers from 19 games. He’s also been a solid contributor with the Red Wings, where Berggren’s account shows 2-3-5 numbers through nine games.

Red Wings Fischer Recovered From Nasty Collision

Fischer suffered a head gash and was left woozy following a head-on-head collision with teammate Jeff Petry during Detroit’s Dec. 23 game at New Jersey. The clash of heads left Fischer with a cut over his eye.

“Doing much better now,” Fischer said. “I’d say after a full day I started to feel better. I skated the last three days, no problems.”

He recalls the painful incident vividly.

Joe Veleno and Christian Fischer will both be back in the lineup tomorrow vs. Boston, per Coach Lalonde.

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 30, 2023

“I remember everything,” Fischer said. “I remember feeling Jeff’s helmet hit my face. It happened quick. I looked over my shoulder to check on my right side and right when I turned my head back, that’s when the collision happened. Didn’t have too much time to react. I saw him, thankfully, at the very last second, so I had a little time to prepare for it.

“It was probably the hardest I’ve gotten knocked in eight years. That was an odd collision. Obviously, when you get hit by an opposing player when you have the puck it’s a different situation. The scary ones are the ones you don’t see coming, especially when it’s your teammate.”

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