The Daily: The Gauntlet Just Beginning For Red Wings; Penguins Love ‘Ned’

The last sentence of Bob Duff’s story on the Detroit Red Wings OT loss Thursday tells the story about their immediate future. Goalie Alex Lyon doesn’t seem to want us to forget it.

The Red Wings viewed the setback against the Edmonton Oilers as a lost point because they know they are in the midst of a gauntlet of games against playoff teams that may determine their postseason fate.

“We just gotta use it as fuel for the fire, because our January doesn’t get any easier,” Lyon said.

Indeed.

They have a game Saturday at home against a quality Los Angeles Kings team before heading on a three-game road trip against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes. The Maple Leafs have won four of their last five, while the Panthers boast a nine-game winning streak and the Hurricanes are 6-0-1 in their last seven.

The NHL schedule isn’t more favorable to the Red Wings later in the month, either.  Plus, the Red Wings have the fifth toughest schedule for the games remaining for the rest of the season.

How each team's schedule strength is expected to change in the season's second half.
A deeper look at who has it easier (SJ, CGY, CHI, FLA, CAR) and who has it harder (COL, NJD, WSH, ARI, TOR).https://t.co/rknwM3EA63 pic.twitter.com/4wwzAXVcc5

— dom 📈 (@domluszczyszyn) January 11, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Andrew Copp finally ends goalless drought with tally against the Edmonton Oilers.
• Red Wings first-round pick Nate Danielson traded by to the Portland Winterhawks in a WHL swap.
• Carter Mazur overcomes a slow start to regain status as a hot Detroit prospect. Tim Robinson has the details in a behind-the-paywall-story
• Detroit prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka will be out an extended period with an upper body injury.

Red Wings Next Game

The Red Wings will have practice Friday before back-to-back games Saturday at home against the Los Angeles Kings Saturday and the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday. The Detroit squad beat the Kings on a 4-3 shootout one week ago on their California road trip. The Kings are technically in a seven-game losing streak, although they are really 0-3-4 in those seven losses. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs have overcome their goaltending issues to go 4-1 in their last five game.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Defenseman Brandon Carlo goes on the injured reserve, but Linus Ullmark is listed as day-to-day. The latter counts as good news for the Boston Bruins.

Chicago: Nate Brown answers five questions about the Chicago Blackhawks, including whether Jason Dickinson has earned a contract extension.

Florida: The Florida Panthers have found their game, extending their winning streak to nine games in a row.

Montreal: The Montreal Canadiens are likely to trade forward Sean Monahan

Pittsburgh: Former Red Wings player Alex Nedeljkovic plays well again as the Pittsburgh Penguins earn a point against the Canucks.

San Jose: Sheng Peng explains how the San Jose Sharks ended their 12-game losing streak with a win against the Montreal Canadiens.