Banged Up Red Wings Shutout by Flyers 3-0

Forgive any Detroit Red Wings fans tuning into the tilt with the Philadelphia Flyers and being shocked by the lineup. With Alex Nedeljkovic making his first start in net since December 8, the Red Wings were hoping for a spark with so many key players missing due to injury.

The spark, it turns out, couldn’t ignite the shorthanded team. The Flyers ended a scoreless tie with 9:50 in the second on Kiefer Bellows’ goal and held the Red Wings off 3-0 Saturday afternoon. It’s the first time during the 2022-23 season that the Red Wings have fallen below .500, now at 31-32-9.

Both teams had numerous chances on the power play to score, but were unsuccessful. Beyond that, turnovers cost Detroit on a second goal, which saw the Flyers take a 2-0 lead with under a minute in the second.

The Red Wings had three power play chances early in the game, including a double minor. But it generated very little. The Flyers had two of their own but they too came away empty. The Flyers best chance game late in the first for the Flyers’ Kevin Hayes who had a chance with a wide open net. Nedeljkovic slid across the crease and robbed a sure goal, keeping the game scoreless.

Detroit, was 0-7 on the power play, mustering only a handful of chances. Detroit’s first odd man rush came with just over 11 minutes left in the third period, a chance for Austin Czarnik and Matt Luff which resulted in Czarnik’s pass being deflected away.

For the optimists, it helps Detroit’s lottery chances. But with ten games to go, the injured Red Wings will have to find ways to win with the depleted lineup.

Veleno Gets a Crack at the Top Line, Edvinsson Sits

Joe Veleno started the game on the top line with Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin. The opening shift didn’t generate much but for the 23-year-old forward it’s a chance to showcase his skills on the wing with the team’s best scorers. Veleno hit his career best in points by a game, and is an RFA this season.

Simon Edvinsson was a healthy scratch just a game after his first NHL goal. Bally Sports’ Detroit’s Trevor Thompson reported in-game that the Red Wings were trying to make sure Edvinsson’s matchups were favorable as he’s acclimated to the league.

FIlip Zadina is day-to-day.

Ice Chips and Chippyness

Speaking of line promotions, Adam Erne barely got to enjoy his. Trying to corral the puck near the end boards, an inadvertent high stick blasted Erne right in the chops. He dropped to the ice and when he rose again, he had a mouthful of blood. The Red Wings were awarded a double minor but a tough way for Erne to celebrate his promotion to the second line. He would later return.

Near the end of the game, Moritz Seider drew the ire of several Flyers, including Scott Laughton and Brendan Lemieux. The former was whistled for a slash. The latter attempted to mix it up in a scrum. Laughton kept going at Seider with a few jabs to the face.

Seider simply skated away.