The next three games will go a long way in determining whether the Detroit Red Wings are going to be a playoff team this spring. A three-game gauntlet launches with a home date Sunday afternoon against the Buffalo Sabres. A win would move the Sabres to within a point of the Red Wings.

Tuesday, the Washington Capitals are in town, Detroit and the Caps are deadlocked at 82 points. On Thursday, the Red Wings travel to Pittsburgh and will be facing the Penguins. Pittsburgh is currently on 83 points.

“Yeah, we have to win games though,” Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin said. “We have to get points.

“Everything is magnified in the battles. You have to win your battles, win your moments and don’t leave any plays out there.”

Winning Saturday, the New York Islanders were moving to 85 points. The Philadelphia Flyers are at 83 points, but lost again Sunday, this time to the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets.

Game Time

Sunday: Buffalo at Detroit

Where: Little Caesars Arena

TV/RADIO: Bally Sports/97.1 FM

Time: 1 p.m.

Sabres Preview

Given up for dead, the Sabres have won three out of four, with key victories over the Flyers and Capitals . . . Forward J.J. Peterka has seven goals in the past seven games. He’s scored 25 of his team-leading 28 goals at even strength.

Tage Thompson with the nifty move opens the scoring in Buffalo! pic.twitter.com/GBEba8gsJT

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 5, 2024

Red Wings killer Tage Thompson has nine goals in the last nine games . . . Since March 1, Thompson leads all Sabres skaters in points (19), even-strength points (16), shots (57) and plus/minus (plus-11).

Red Wings Preview

Detroit coach Derek Lalonde is boldly shuffling his lines. He’s going to try Austin Czarnik at center between Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. “Played around with some different things,” Lalonde said. “Sometimes it just connects. Czarnik, Cat and Kane, they’ll get some shifts together post-penalty kill and so forth, it’s looked good. Probably a different look that could potentially help our depth throughout our lineup.”

An absolutely filthy backhander from Patrick Kane breaks the ice! Truly worthy of showtime! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/Rv6VY52GuM

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

Other lines figure to be David Perron-Larkin-Lucas Raymond, Andrew Copp-J.T. Compher-Christian Fischer and Robby Fabbri-Joe Veleno-Daniel Sprong . . . Forward Michael Rasmussen will miss a second straight game due to an upper-body injury. ““Definitely out for (Sunday),” Lalonde confirmed. “We’ll re-evaluate for practice on Monday. Hopefully for Tuesday but that might be a little aggressive.” . . . Defenseman Olli Maatta (upper-body injury) is questionable . . . Alex Lyon gets the nod in goal.

The post Sabres vs. Red Wings: Lines, Notes & How to Watch appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Flailing and failing is nothing new to the Detroit Red Wings when spending time in the Sunshine State. Doom and gloom frequently follow them during their forays into Florida.

Saturday’s 3-2 shootout loss to the Panthers was Detroit’s seventh loss in eight games at Florida (1-5-2). Over the long haul, the news isn’t much better when visiting Tampa Bay, Monday’s destination.

The Red Wings have been winners in just three of their last 22 trips to face the Lightning. However, when you put more recency into the review, it actually favors Detroit. The Wings have won two of three there and three of the last five.

Red Wings vs Lightning

Monday: Red Wings at Tampa Bay

Where: Amalie Arena

TV/RADIO: Bally Sports/97.1 FM

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Red Wings Preview

Defenseman Jake Walman (lower-body injury) is back following a six-game absence. Olli Maatta will be a healthy scratch . . .  Looking for his first win since Feb. 27, Alex Lyon gets the start in goal . . . After scoring seven goals in a five-game span, Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond has been limited to one assist over the past five games . . Forward Zach Aston-Reese was given reassignment to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins without playing a game for Detroit.

UPDATE: The Detroit #RedWings today assigned forward Zach Aston-Reese to the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. pic.twitter.com/pbQDtCTxwX

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) March 31, 2024

Alex DeBrincat and J.T. Compher both have one goal over their past 15 games . . . Austin Czarnik’s lone point as a Detroit player this season came on Oct. 18 . . . Projected lines for Detroit are Dylan Larkin-Patrick Kane-DeBrincat, Compher-David Perron-Raymond, Andrew Copp-Michael Rasmussen-Christian Fischer, Joe Veleno-Robby Fabbri-Czarnik.

Lightning Preview

Tampa Bay is 8-0-1 through the past nine games. Over that span, the Lightning have outscored the opposition 40-18.

Let the good times roll.

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) March 31, 2024

Lightning star Nikita Kucherov has 4-16-20 totals over the past nine games. He has posted a career-high 19 games of three or more points this season . . . Forward Brayden Point has goals in 13 of the last 18 games . . . Defenseman Victor Hedman is over 70 points in a season for the third time in his NHL career . . . Former Red Wings center Luke Glendening is leading the Lightning in faceoff percentage at 56.7%. Glendening is showing the unique stat line of 10 goals and one assist this seeason.

The post Red Wings vs. Lightning: Lines, Notes & How to Watch appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

State of emergency was trending on X on Friday and amazingly, it had nothing to do with the Detroit Red Wings. Losers of three in a row 60% of the way through a season-high five-game road swing, Detroit is also down two forwards.

Both Patrick Kane and Austin Czarnik are under the weather with illness and listing as doubtful for Saturday afternoon’s 12:30 p.m. start against the Florida Panthers. Their absences wound up forcing the Red Wings to go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen during Thursday’s 4-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Evidently, Detroit coach Derek Lalonde wasn’t fond of how that set up was working out for his team. To that end, he’s summoning a veteran NHL presence to help out his club. Center Zach Aston-Reese, with 308 NHL games on his resume, is getting a recall from the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins.

UPDATE: The Detroit #RedWings today recalled forward Zach Aston-Reese from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions. pic.twitter.com/nSPoNZHHfV

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) March 29, 2024

Aston-Reese, 29, spent the majority of those NHL tilts with the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2017-22. He’s also played with the Anaheim Ducks and scored 10 goals last season in 77 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Aston-Reese suited up for one game with the Red Wings earlier this season.

In 56 games for the Griffins, Aston-Reese is showing 13-15-28 totals. He’s very blunt in self-assessing his abilities on the ice.

The @griffinshockey lineup tonight in Chicago will feature 11 forwards and 7 defensemen. Edvinsson, Czarnik and now Aston-Reese are with Detroit. Berggren, Mazur, Gettinger and Simek are out with injury. pic.twitter.com/xmSxuRRbga

— Bob Kaser (@bkaser1) March 29, 2024

“I think I’m a good two-way player,” Aston-Reese said earlier this season upon arriving in Grand Rapids. “Very smart defensively, sometimes a little too defensive. I think this is a great opportunity to work on the offensive side of my game.

“I can play physical. I know that part of my game could be more consistent as far as the physicality and finishing checks.”

Red Wings Need Help

Detroit’s road record of late is appaling. The Red Wings are 0-7-1 through their past eight games away from Little Caesars Arena.

They’ve scored 14 goals over that eight-game span, an average of 1.75 goals per game. Detroit has been shutout three times in the club’s last seven road games, including two of the past three outings.

The post Red Wings Adding Veteran NHLer appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

One more game with the Detroit Red Wings and it will mean that Jonatan Beggren will have played 80 in the NHL. That would also mean a requirement to return him the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins will be clearing the Swedish forward through NHL waivers.

You might think that’s why he was sent down Monday the Red Wings as they are making a drive for their first Stanley Cup playoff spot since 2016. Howver, that isn’t the case at all.

UPDATE: The #RedWings today assigned right wing Jonatan Berggren to the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. pic.twitter.com/mKTJdogKwe

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) March 25, 2024

“I think it’s our team game,” Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde is listing as his reason for returning Berggren to Grand Rapids. “We just talked about (playing) eight quality periods, so a little rhythm of our lines.”

Lalonde has frequently been a questioner of Berggren’s defensive responsibility. Lately, he’s also expressing similar concerns regarding veteran forward Daniel Sprong. The 17-goal scorer has been a healthy scratch the past two games.

“I’d probably put Spronger in that same boat, too,” Lalonde admitted. “Both Spronger and Berggren can produce some offense but the rhythm of our lines right now, we’ve played some really good team hockey right now, so I think it’s more about what the group is doing that’s keeping them together.

“We love the offense but we talked about not being chaotic. I think our current group right now is playing the right way, winning type of hockey.”

Czarnik Getting Call For Red Wings

Journeyman veteran Austin Czarnik has usurped both players as a regular in the Detroit lineup. Since his March 14 recall from the AHL Griffins, Lalonde has consistently been slotting in Czarnik as his fourth-line center. While he doesn’t bring anywhere near the offensive upside of Sprong or Berggren, Czarnik does deliver trustworthiness without the puck.

“(Czarnik) gives us reliable minutes,” Lalonde said. “I think he’s helped that by giving us quality minutes down the middle.”

Sticking With Lyon

Following a 31-save performance in a 1-0 loss Saturday at Nashville, the Red Wings will be staying with goalie Alex Lyon between the pipes for Tuesday’s massive tilt at Washington against the Capitals. Lyon has lost his last eight decisions. Meanwhile, James Reimer has won three in a row and six of seven.

We hear from goalie Alex Lyon after he made 31 saves in the Red Wings' 1-0 road loss to the Nashville Predators.#LGRW pic.twitter.com/FJsb1okPZG

— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) March 23, 2024

“We’ve had this a couple times where we actually had a hard decision, which is a positive,” Lalonde said. “There’s been some times this year where we’re not sure who to start at the other end. This is a good problem.

“James is winning. Alex had a really good performance on Saturday.”

The post Red Wings Return Berggren to Grand Rapids appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Coach Derek Lalonde’s lineup shake-up continued this morning with Austin Czarnik called up from the Grand Rapids Griffins to replace Daniel Sprong on the Detroit Red Wings’ fourth line

Czarnik presumably will play alongside Jonatan Berggren and Christian Fischer tonight against the Arizona Coyotes. Lalonde rearranged all of his lines and defensive pairings in Wednesday’s practice.

The press release says Czarnik is being called up under emergency conditions. But the lineup change is part of Lalonde’s effort to get the offense moving again. The team has averaged only 1.83 goals per game during its six-game losing streak. It had been averaging about 3.5 goals per game before the slump.

Derek Lalonde said Austin Czarnik will be in tonight for Daniel Sprong. Just a reset. #LGRW

— Daniella Bruce (@daniellabruce_) March 14, 2024

Sprong has one assist in the Red Wings’ skid, and was minus-4 in their lopsided loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday. The Red Wings have been outscored 32-11 in the six losses.

Czarnik, 31, has played 18 games for the Red Wings this season and shows one assist. He has nine goals and 26 points in 36 games this season for the Griffins in the American Hockey League. Czarnik recently helped the Griffins put together an 18-game points streak, which is the second longest in team history.

Czarnik’s lure is that he’s a responsible, veteran player who is mindful of his defensive responsibility. He has played 189 NHL games during his professional career.

The post Czarnik Called Up, Sprong Scratched vs. Coyotes appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The Grand Rapids Griffins’ recent points steak hasn’t been the Jonatan Berggren show when it comes to offensive production.

Austin Czarnik, a favorite Red Wings’ call-up, netted the game-winning goal at 13:19 of the third period in a 3-2 win against the Rockford IceHogs. The triumph extended the Griffins’ points streak to 12 games.

This is the franchise’s longest points streak since winning 13 consecutive games in 2016.

Defenseman William Wallinder (drafted 32nd overall in 2020) assisted on Czarnik’s deflection tally. Wallinder now has five points in his past six games.

Throughout this streak, the Griffins have had contributions from a variety of players. Nine different Griffins had a point in this away contest. Amadeus Lombardi (drafted 113th overall in 2022) also scored for the Griffins in this game. He shows four points in the past six games.

Leave it all out there Lambo!! pic.twitter.com/Ppn6vPLgmH

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) February 18, 2024

Defenseman Simon Edvinsson (drafted sixth overall in 2021) picked up his 19th assist of the season on Tim Gettinger’s first period goal. Edvinsson has 25 points in 42 games this season. His plus-minus is +5 during the streak.

Berggren, the offensive catalyst during the streak, was kept off the score sheet Saturday night. He has eight goals and six assists for 14 points in the last 12 games.

Sources tell Hockey Now that multiple teams have made inquiries about whether the Red Wings would consider trading Berggren (drafted 33rd overall in 2018).  GM Steve Yzerman has always indicated there are no untouchables on a team if he has a chance to make it better. But there has been no indication that he has been close to moving Berggren.

The Griffins ( 22-15-5-3, 52 points) play their next game Wednesday, at home against the Texas Stars (24-17-3-2, 53 points). The Griffins are battling the Stars for second place in the Central Division.

The post Lombardi, Czarnik Help Griffins’ Points Streak Reach 12 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.”

The post Red Wings Return Berggren, Czarnik to Grand Rapids appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Game Facts

Who: Red Wings at Wild

Where: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minn.

When: 8:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: Bally Sports/97.1 FM

Records: Red Wings 16-14-4, Wild 15-13-4

What to Know

Patrick Kane, who had four goals and eight points last week, was named one of the NHL’s three stars for last week. Kane was joined by Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov and New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad. All three had four goals last week. …

No word as to whether Michael Hutchinson or James Reimer will be in goal tonight for Detroit. Alex Lyon and Ville Husso are still on IR. …

Injury problems continue to bedevil the Wings, who put Christian Fischer on the IR Tuesday, retroactive to Dec. 23. The team recalled Simon Edvinsson, Jonatan Berggren and Austin Czarnik from Grand Rapids. Czarnik and Berggren have each had several stints with the Red Wings this season, while Edvinsson made his Detroit season debut on Friday. Berggren has two goals and four points in seven games, while Czarnik has one point in 16 games. …

The Red Wings are looking to reverse a slide which has seen them lose seven out of nine games and fall to the bottom of the Atlantic Division. The Red Wings have struggled on defense, allowing 18 goals in their last four games. Minnesota has struggled on defense, too, but goalie Filip Gustavsson has been a bright spot, with a 2.90 GAA and .905 save percentage. …

The last time the teams met, on Nov. 26, the Wings won 4-1 and then Minnesota coach Dean Evason was fired. Since then, the Wild have won 10 of 13 games, six of the last seven and the last three in a row. …

Four Red Wings draftees are off to strong starts at the IIHF World Junior Championships in Sweden. Nate Danielson, the No. 9 overall pick last summer, had a goal and an assist and was named player of the game in Canada’s 5-2 win over Finland. Goalie Trey Augustine, a second-round pick, was in net as the U.S. beat Norway 4-1. Axel Sandin Pellikka, drafted No. 17 overall, had an assist in Sweden’s 6-0 win over Latvia, while Anton Johansson, a fourth-round pick in 2022, had three shots in Sweden’s win.

https://t.co/paeEw4rgrP

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 26, 2023

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Without even having to say so, the Detroit Red Wings are making it abundantly clear that the injuries suffered by Christian Fischer and Jeff Petry are of a serious nature.

Petry and Fischer were involved in a clash of heads during Detroit’s 3-2 loss at New Jersey on Dec. 23. The collision occurred during the second period and neither player was able to continue.

The team has offered no public update on their condition over the NHL’s Christmas break. However, roster news happening early Tuesday evening between the Red Wings and their AHL affiliate the Grand Rapids Griffins was certainly revealing.

UPDATE: The #RedWings today recalled Jonatan Berggren, Austin Czarnik and Simon Edvinsson from the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions.

Additionally, the #RedWings have placed Christian Fischer on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 23. pic.twitter.com/fSx1DfMcN0

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 26, 2023

Detroit was recalling defenseman Simon Edvinsson and forwards Jonatan Berggren and Austin Czarnik from the Griffins under emergency conditions. At the same time, the team was placing Fischer on IR retroactive to Dec. 23.

Edvinsson made his season debut against the Devils. Both Czarnik and Berggren have already played several games with the Red Wings during the 2023-24 campaign.

Berggren Consistently Producing With Red Wings, Griffins

During a three-game stint with Detroit from Dec. 11-14, Berggren would net a point in all three games. He wound up compiling two goals and an assist in that span. He’s showing 2-2-4 numbers and a plus-four rating from seven Red Wings games this season.

Berggren has proven equally impressive while in the Griffins lineup. He’s second on the club 1ith 7-11-18 totals over 19 games. He owns both a three-game goal streak and six-game point streak for Grand Rapids this season.

The sixth player chosen in the 2021 NHL entry draft, Edvinsson was even while skating 13:18 of ice time against the Devils on Dec. 23. Last season, the big Swede netted a pair of goals in nine games for Detroit.

At Grand Rapids this season, Edvinsson was reponsible for assembling a team-high seven-game point streak. The stretch included Edvinsson’s first two-goal game and a pair of multi-assist performances.

Post-Christmas Hockey, without Berggren, Czarnik & Edvinsson, begins tomorrow night here in Rockford where @griffinshockey are getting in a late afternoon, early evening practice inside @BMOCenter. https://t.co/jPoy6UeTYx pic.twitter.com/kUrdm7Qq44

— Bob Kaser (@bkaser1) December 26, 2023

In addition to ranking third on the Griffins in points, Edvinsson is tied for fourth among AHL defensemen with six goals and tied for fifth with two power-play tallies.

Czarnik has suited up for 16 games with Detroit this season. He’s showing one assist, six penalty minutes and a minus-three rating. The Detroit native has excelled with the Griffins, recording seven points (3-4—7) in nine outings. That includes a five-game point streak (3-3—6) from Oct. 13-Nov. 29.

In games with Czarnik inthe lineup, the Griffins are 6-2-1-0 (.722). They are 3-11-2-1 (.265) ledger without him.

The post Red Wings Recall Three From Grand Rapids appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

While the Red Wings had a Thanksgiving feast on the ice last week, winning all three games, the Grand Rapids Griffins split a pair at home. Still, there were some highlights down on the farm:

Berggren Red-Hot For Griffins

Jonatan Berggren has been on a tear in Grand Rapids since a brief call-up by the Red Wings earlier this month.

The 2018 second-rounder (No. 33 overall) had a goal and an assist in both weekend games against Manitoba, lifting him to 11 points on the season, second on the team. One of those came on the power  play in a 5-1  win on Friday night; Berggren has scored four goals in the Griffins’ last five games.

Light work from Berggren pic.twitter.com/Ee2kaLZ2KZ

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) November 25, 2023

Simon Edvinsson (No. 6 overall in 2021) has a three-game point streak, picking up five assists, He’s third on the Griffins with 10 points this season. He and Albert Johansson are considered the odds-on favorites to join the Red Wing next season, although that is anything but guaranteed.

Austin Czarnik, recently returned to Grand Rapids by the Red Wings, has a four-game p0ints streak, including three goals. The Griffins are in sixth place in the AHL’s  Central Division.

Czarnik's goal was FUEGO pic.twitter.com/8tDLyEJNai

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) November 26, 2023

Nate Danielson (No. 9 overall, 2023) had a hot streak for the Brandon Wheat Kings. He scored in three consecutive games, including two goals at Edmonton, from Nov. 17-22. The Red Wings’ top draft choice last summer has eight goals and 17 points this season.

Trey Augustine, (No. 41 overall, 2023) was one of the Big Ten’s Three Stars of the Week last week, He had 44 saves as Michigan State ended a 14-game losing streak to Minnesota with a 3-3 tie on Friday, then gave up six goals, three on the power play, in a 6-5 overtime loss on Saturday.

Speaking of goalies, Michael Hutchinson played in both games for the Griffins last week.  He’s 3-5-0 for the Griffins, with a goals-against average of 3.22 and a .891 save percentage.

The post Red Wings Prospect Watch: Berggren Has Big Week for Griffins appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.