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.

Detroit Red Wings fans awoke this morning in the worst possible of moods for a sports fan base. Excitement has long since evaporated. While there are pockets of anger visible, for the most part, even this trait is fading.

Hopelessness, despair, and perhaps worst of all, acceptance, are the emotions of the day most evident among the Hockeytown faithful.

“Playoff chances are long gone,” read Red Wings fan Ronnie White’s post on Facebook.

Long gone? Really?

Look, we get the angst you’re feeling. It’s understandable. This is not a group with a track record of getting things done in the clutch.

Detroit is 0-2-1 so far on this season-long five-game road trip. The Red Wings squandered a third-period lead and lost 4-3 in overtime at Washington. They failed to score in the other two games. And they’ve surrendered eight goals over the past two setbacks.

“Damn, I miss Jonathan Ericsson on the blueline,” posted Red Wings Brasil on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter. “Yep. That’s where we’re at.

Damn, I miss Johnathan Ericsson on the blueline.
Yep. That's where we are at.#LGRW#RedWings

— Red Wings Brasil (@RedWingsBR) March 29, 2024

Looking ahead to games against the Florida Panthers (Saturday, 12:30 p.m.) and Tampa Bay Lightning (Monday, 7 p.m.), the horizon certainly does appear to be offering nothing but bleakness.

“It puts a lot of pressure on us,” Red Wings forward Christian Fischer admitted to Bally Sports Detroit. “Tampa and Florida coming up are two really good teams, playoff teams.”

That’s why you all need to step back and encompass the bigger picture. Both Washington and Philadelphia also lost Thursday night.

Over? No, it isn’t over. Detroit is only two points in arrears to the Capitals. One Red Wings win, coupled with a Washington loss, and the fellows with the winged wheel on their chests are back in the playoff picture.

Red Wings Still In With A Chance

What we’re saying, in the immortal words of Lloyd Christmas, is that there’s still a chance. And unlike his dream of dating Lauren Holly’s character in Dumb And Dumber, in this instance, that chance holds some vailidity.

Don’t take our word for it, though. Listen to what Red Wings supporter Justin Madden posted to the Detroit Red Wings true fan page on Facebook.

“We are not the only team with a tough schedule,” Madden noted. “The Caps don’t have it easy, either. People need to chill out.”

Look, we’re not here trying to sugarcoat things.

“We’ve had some pretty good moments in this stretch,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “Unfortunately, we’re 1-2-1 in our last four.”

Is it bad right now? For sure.

The thing is, it really could be a whole lot worse. So there’s that.

The post Red Wings Faithful Sure That Sky is Falling appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

At this juncture of the season, there is only one squad capable of preventing the Detroit Red Wings from ending their seven-season NHL postseason absence.

That would be the guys they see every morning when they look in the mirror.

The Red Wings have met the enemy, and it is them.

Detroit is embarking on a road trip from hell. The next five games for the Red Wings are at Nashville (Saturday), Washington (Tuesday), Carolina (Thursday), Florida (Saturday) and Tampa Bay (Monday).

Detroit has lost four in a row at Nashville. The Predators are currently the NHL’s hottest squad, with points in 16 successive games (14-0-2). Washington is 6-3-1 in the last 10 home games vs Detroit. At the moment riding a five-game win streak, Carolina is 4-1 the last five times hosting the Red Wings. Florida has won nine of 11 home games from Detroit, while the Red Wings show three wins over their past 22 visits to Tampa Bay.

Finishing this trip with an 0-5 slate would not be out of the question.

And really, that’s the only way any of the teams currently chasing Detroit for the second Eastern Conference wild card spot can get back in the hunt.

“It’s going to start one game at a time with an opportunity against Nashville, but we got to try to eat any point we can get on this road trip,” Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said.

Currently with 78 points, the Red Wings are three points clear of the Washington Capitals. The New York Islanders are five points back. New Jersey (72), Buffalo (71) and Pittsburgh (69) are running on fumes.

True, both the Capitals (two) and Islanders (one) are holding games in hand on the Red Wings. However, if Detroit just takes care of business, those numbers become immaterial.

The Red Wings, as the saying goes, control their own destiny. Only they can blow it.

Red Wings Adept At Failure

While we’re being honest, let’s remember that the only reason there’s a race at all for that final playoff spot is because the Red Wings took a great fall. They were at least eight points clear of everyone before embarking on a seven-game skid the would open the door for the challengers to gain ground.

One again, that’s the only manner in which those in pursuit can catch Detroit. The Red Wings must stumble.

Even a 2-3 slate on this upcoming road sojourn should be enough to get them home and cooled out. That would prove especially true should they take care of business on Tuesday in Washington. As poorly as the club played in dropping seven in a row, Detroit is now 3-1 over the past four games. They were victorious in key recent home dates against Buffalo and the Islanders. Those triumphs virtually snuffed out the playoff dreams for both of those clubs.

“When you play games like that, it just validates that feeling that we belong in the playoffs,” Detroit captain Dylan Larkin said. “That’s our goal.

“You know there’s gonna be bumps. I don’t exactly how many games we have left (12), but there’s gonna be bumps and we’ve shown that we can stick together.

“That’s what’s important.”

The Wings face non-playoff teams in four of their last six regular-season games. Survive this trip and the playoffs will be their destiny.

If not, then they’ll only have themselves to blame.

The post Only One Team Can Stop Red Wings From Making Playoffs appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The Detroit Red Wings are locked into a competitive wild card race in the Eastern Conference and don’t want to see a competitor land impact defenseman Noah Hanifin before Friday’s trade deadline.

Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman reported that may happen because Hanifin, who has a modified no-trade clause, has told the Calgary Flames he would like to end up with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Lightning and Red Wings currently hold the two Eastern wild card spots with four teams chasing them. They both have 72 points, although Detroit has two games in hand. Because of Mikhail Sergachev’s injury, the Lightning desperately need another proven defenseman.

The Flames could also have an impact on the Eastern race if they trade goalie Jacob Markstrom to the New Jersey Devils. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported that the Devils are now willing to take Markstrom’s full salary in the deal. That had been a sticking point in previous negotiations.

New Jersey Hockey Now’s story says acquiring Markstrom is general manager Tom Fitzgerald’s No. 1 priority.  The Devils are eight points behind Detroit.

"In Tampa, there definitely is a feeling that that is Noah Hanifin's preferred destination." – @FriedgeHNIC

The Lightning could be interested in Noah Hanifin, but a lack of assets remains an issue.@TonyLuftman | @EJHradek_NHL | #GoBolts | #NHLTonight pic.twitter.com/wt7dXbCDjj

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) March 2, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Bob Duff handicaps the Red Wings’ chances in the Eastern Conference wild card race.
• The Florida Panthers schooled Detroit players on the difference between a contender and a playoff team.
• Here’s a look inside the Grand Rapids Griffins 18-game points streak,
• Paywall story: The grandson of former NHL player Larry Keenan is one of Detroit’s prospects. He’s playing for Penticton in the British Columbia Hockey League.

Red Wings Next Game

The Red Wings are off today and then have two days of practice before starting a four-game road trip with a game Wednesday against the Colorado Avalanche. The Avs lost 5-1 Saturday night to the Nashville Predators. But they are 4-2-1 in their last seven. The Detroit road trip also includes games against Arizona, Vegas and Buffalo.

Hockey Now Network

Montreal: MHN looks at whether it makes any sense for the Montreal Canadiens to move Mike Matheson.

Nashville: Friedman is also reporting the Nashville Predators are close to finalizing a contract extension with Tommy Novak. That’s going to be a disappointment for several teams because he was a popular trade target. The Predators have won seven in a row.

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski wrote that the Pittsburgh Penguins‘ dressing room was eerily silent after they blew a 3-1 third period lead in losing to the Calgary Flames. Reality is settling in for the Penguins.

San Jose: How do the San Jose Sharks match up with Western Conference teams as trading partners? Sheng Peng has the answer.

The post The Daily: Hanifin Wants to Join Red Wings’ Rival; Preds Signing Novak? appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The Griswolds went on a European vacation, but the Detroit Red Wings are on a European mission. They are viewing the NHL Global Series, with games in Stickholm against the Ottawa Senators (Thursday) and Toronto Maple Leafs (Friday) as a business trip. And if they are able to come home packing a pair of wins, then business will be good.

Gibt es eine bessere Vorbereitung auf die #NHLGlobalSeries? Moritz Seider und Lucas Raymond testen schwedische Süßigkeiten!

( @detroitredwings) | #LGRW | #Seider | #Raymond pic.twitter.com/tXlaNZGz1l

— NHL Deutsch (@NHLde) November 13, 2023

“When we do hit the ice it’s to focus and be prepared to work on the things that we need to that will put us in the best position to win those two games,” Detroit defenseman Jeff Petry said.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin worries about what the long-term effects will be from the team’s in-season junket to Sweden
• Simon Edvinsson is looking for consistency in his game during his second season with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins
• NHL pundits are raving about the trickery Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond deployed to score against Columbus
• Raymond is equally excited by the chance to play at home in Sweden in the NHL Global Series

Red Wings Next Game

The NHL Global Series opens Thursday as Detroit faces off with their Atlantic Division rivals the Ottawa Senators. The Red Wings are already 1-0 against the Senators this season.

Atlantic Division

Boston: Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic has suffered a setback while rehabbing his injured ankle.

Montreal: The Montreal Canadiens are exploring their options in the goalie trade market.

Florida: Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart is the NHL’s First Star of the Week.

Ottawa: Former Red Wings forward Daniel Alfredsson is back with the Ottawa Senators, filling a role without a title.

Toronto: Former Red Wings player Sean Avery is suggesting that Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander is so hot, he should be dating Taylor Swift.

Vasy content for the TL pic.twitter.com/5tmryTlOHL

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) November 13, 2023

Tampa Bay: Recuperating from back surgery, Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy was facing shots for the first time on Monday.

Hockey Now Network

Vegas: The reigning Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights were the guests of US President Joe Biden at the White House on Monday.

San Jose: Many of his contemporaries were extending their respect and admirarion for San Jose Sharks play-by-play voice Dan Rusanowsky upon his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Chicago: The show stopping skills of Chicago Blackhawks phenom Connor Bedard are beginning to shine through.

Colorado: Still recovering from off-season adductor surgery, it appears that Colorado Avalanche goalie Pavel Francouz won’t be playing this season.

Pittsburgh: The first goalie to backstop the Pittsburgh Penguins to a Stanley Cup title, Tom Barrasso was officially enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday.

Philadelphia: Philadelphia Flyers prospect Denver Barkey is the player of the week in the OHL.

Washington: Defenseman Martin Fehervary has been lost to injury by the Washington Capitals.

Islanders: The skidding New York Islanders have now lost five games in a row.

New Jersey: Here’s the latest update on injured New Jersey Devils star forward Jack Hughes.

Carolina: The Carolina Hurricanes will again be paying homage to the Hartford Whalers by donning Whalers jerseys for a game this season.

The post The Daily: Red Wings Aren’t in Sweden to be Tourists; Alfredsson in New Role With Senators appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

As much as they are doing their utmost to downplay the notion, there’s no question that Saturday’s afternoon’s game at Ottawa against the Senators is a definite litmus test for the Detroit Red Wings.

Last February, consecutive lopsided losses at Ottawa derailed what was looking like a potential rally for a playoff spot by the Red Wings. Still, Detroit coach Derek Lalonde was adamant that Saturday’s game won’t be about getting any payback.

Atlantic Division standings a week in the season:

1. Ottawa Senators
2. Detroit Red Wings
3. Boston Bruins
4. Toronto Maple Leafs
5. Montreal Canadiens
6. Tampa Bay Lightning
7. Florida Panthers
8. Buffalo Sabres

Ottawa and Detroit are banging on the playoff door. pic.twitter.com/89MX1t1p6j

— Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) October 19, 2023

At the same time, it’s wise to remember the words of Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman. Last season, he said the teams that his club are competing against to climb the Atlantic Division ladder are the Senators and the Buffalo Sabres. Detroit was a combined 1-5-2 against the Sabres and Senators last season. That’s one of the reasons why Saturday’s game is fairly significant for only being the fifth game of the NHL season.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• His health back, Andrew Copp is showing the Red Wings what he can really do
• Off to a fast start, Detroit forward Alex DeBrincat is leading the NHL in scoring
• In this paywall piece, a look at how the Yzerplan is coming together

Red Wings Next Game

Visiting Ottawa on Saturday afternoon (1 p.m. ET), Detroit is 0-4-1 in the club’s last five visits to Canada’s capital city since a 2-0 victory there on Feb. 2, 2019.

Atlantic Division

Boston: Could Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak reach the 60-goal plateau again?

Buffalo: A 4-3 loss to the Calgary Flames was displaying an age-old problem with the Buffalo Sabres, the lack of solid team defensive play.

Florida: Posting his 106th win, Sergei Bobrovsky was moving into second place on the franchise all-time list following a 3-1 victory over Toronto.

Montreal: Montreal Canadiens defenseman Kaiden Guhle is day to day with an upper-body injury.

Ottawa: Just in time to face the Red Wings, Ottawa Senators forward Josh Norris, a 35-goal scorer last season, is back from a shoulder injury.

Tampa Bay: Captain Steven Stamkos was collecting an assist in a 4-3 victory over Vancouver as he was returning from the injury list.

Toronto: Former Red Wings forward Tyler Bertuzzi was dropped from the top line as the Maple Leafs fell 3-1 to Florida.

Tyler Bertuzzi has taken five minor penalties in three games. Most of them far away from the Leafs' net.

— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) October 17, 2023

Hockey Now Network

Philadelphia: Center Morgan Frost spent his second straight game as a healthy scratch as the Philadelphia Flyers beat Edmonton.

Pittsburgh: The Pittsburgh Penguins have placed forward Jansen Harkins on waivers.

New Jersey: New Jersey Devils coach Lindy Ruff is flipping centers Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier on his top two forward lines.

Islanders: New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson is showing there’s more to his game than just penalty killing.

Carolina: With Fredrik Andersen suffering an injury, the Carolina Hurricanes are recalling goalie Pyotr Kochetkov from AHL Syracuse.

Washington: The Washington Capitals are recalling defenseman Hardy Häman Aktell from the AHL Hershey Bears.

Colorado: Blocking 18 shots, Alexandar Georgiev posted a shutout as the Colorado Avalanche won their home opener 4-0 over Chicago.

Chicago: The Chicago Blackhawks didn’t show much during a 4-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.

Vegas: A 5-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets kept the Vegas Golden Knights unbeaten on the young NHL season.

San Jose: The San Jose Sharks placed defenseman Radim Simek on waivers.

The post The Daily: Ottawa Game Measuring Stick For Red Wings; Leafs Drop Bertuzzi From Top Line appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Michael Eyssimont had barely finished going a** over tea kettle, landing on his head inside the Detroit Red Wings bench, and it was already a viral sensation on all the social media channels.

Detroit forward Lucas Raymond, deliverer of the hit during Saturday’s 6-3 win over the Lightning, was feeling a little bit for Eyssimont. Only a little bit, though, mind you.

Lucas Raymond sends Michael Eyssimont into the Red Wings bench. pic.twitter.com/jBS1Qm9Zxz

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 14, 2023

“It was kind of a tough spot for him,” Raymond said. “Distance-wise, just on the boards, maybe not ready for it. But hey, I can’t complain.

“It was a nice hit. I’ll take that.”

Actually, it was Essyimont who was taking it and it’s Raymond who is receiving the accolades from near and far.

“Yeah a little bit, Raymond answered when asked if he was hearing from people in the game about the hit. “I’ve seen it a couple of times. It’s more friends joking around, guys in here, too.”

Red Wings Raymond Beefed Up

Much was made about Raymond bulking up over the summer. He was adding about 15 pounds of muscle to his frame, bugt no one was expecting him to suddenly turn into a Swedish version of Chuck Norris.

They didn’t know I had that in me,” Raymond said with a smile. “No, it’s fun.”

As much as he’s enjoying the notoreity, the Detroit forward isn’t going head over heels about all the attention he’s suddenly getting for his physical play.

Stuff like that happens,” Raymond said. “I’ll just move on from it, I guess.”

Act Soon: DHN Subscription Offer Expiring – Get Discount & Be Eligible For Prize Draws

And yes, like many people, Raymond does have the video saved on his smartphone.

“I have,” he said, “but I’m sure it’s not too hard to find.”

The post Red Wings Raymond Not Going Head Over Heels About Becoming Viral Sensation appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Red Wings fans were certainly excited to see Alex DeBrincat netting the game winner on Saturday against Tampa Bay in his Detroit hometown debut. Imagine then how excited Toronto Maple Leafs fans are about the work Auston Matthews is doing in the NHL’s red light district.

Two games, two hat tricks for Auston Matthews (@AM34). #NHLFaceOff

Is that good? pic.twitter.com/TjLthxcWN7

— NHL (@NHL) October 15, 2023

Netting three goals in Saturday’s 7-4 win over the Minnesota Wild, Matthews became just the fifth player in NHL history to record consecutive hat-tricks in the first two games of the season. Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin did it in 2017-18. The other three players all did it in 1917-18, the NHL’s inaugural season – Joe Malone, Cy Denneny and Reg Noble.

Of that group, Noble is worthy of note, for he would go on to play for and captain the Red Wings. A Stanley Cup winner with the Toronto Arenas (1917-18), Toronto St. Patricks (1921-22) and Montreal Maroons (1925-26), Detroit coach-GM Jack Adams was a former teammate of Noble’s. He acquired the veteran in 1927 to bring some experience to his second-year Detroit squad.

#WaybackWednesday 96 years ago today ON THIS DAY in hockey history (October 4, 1927):

The Detroit Cougars purchase the contract of Reg Noble from the Montrel Maroons for $7,500 cash pic.twitter.com/vCyrNeb9R7

— Vintage Hockey Showcase (@hockey_vintage) October 4, 2023

While playing for Detroit during the 1929-30 season, Noble became the NHL’s all-time leader in assists. He finally left the league in 1933, retiring as the last active original NHLer to skate in the league. Noble would earn enshrinement into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1962.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Detroit goalie prospect Sebastian Cossa made 40 saves in his AHL season debut for the Grand Rapids Griffins
• Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond was a big hit in their win over Tampa Bay
• Detroit 2023 first-round draft pick Axel Sandin Pellikka is continuing to light red lamps in Sweden

Red Wings Next Game

Hitting the road again, Detroit is in Columbus to face the Blue Jackets on Monday (7 p.m. ET). The Red Wings won both games at Nationwide Arena last season by a combined scored of 10-3. Detroit was swapping veteran minor-league forwards prior to this game. Going back down to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins was Zach Aston-Reese. Rising to Detroit is Austin Czarnik.

Atlantic Division

Boston: Would it ever be possible for the Boston Bruins to work out a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning for disgruntled center Steven Stamkos?

Buffalo: In agreeing to terms with defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power and forwards Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens on long-term deals, the Buffalo Sabres have locked up their core players for a very long time.

Florida: The Florida Panthers are off to an 0-2 start to the NHL season.

Montreal: Joy over the Montreal Canadiens win against Chicago was tempered by an injury to forward Kirby Dach.

Ottawa: The Ottawa Senators continue to be without forwards Josh Norris (shoulder injury) and Shane Pinto (contract holdout).

Tampa Bay: Captain Steven Stamkos was absent from Sunday’s game at Ottawa due to a lower-body injury.

Toronto: Auston Matthews insists that there was never any substance to rumors that he was considering leaving the Maple Leafs.

Hockey Now Network

Pittsburgh: The early bottom line on the bottom six forwards for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Philadelphia: Philadelphia Flyers GM Daniel Briere is ready to talk trade with other NHL teams.

Washington: New dad Darcy Kuemper was back in the Washington Capitals net at practice on Sunday and is expected to play Monday.

Islanders: For better or worse, the season opener for the New York Islanders was indicative of who they are as a team.

New Jersey: Former Red Wings forward Tomas Nosek is day-to-day for the New Jersey Devils with a lower-body injury.

Carolina: The Carolina Hurricanes won a nine-round shootout to beat the Los Angeles Kings.

Chicago: As much fun as it is to see Connor Bedard in action, there’s little joy in watching the painful rebuild of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Colorado: Colorado Avalanche goalie Alexandar Georgiev won his 100th NHL game.

San Jose: The story behind MacKenzie Blackwood’s San Jose Sharks goalie mask.

Vegas: Defining the Vegas Golden Knights season so far – injuries, a suspension and great goaltending.

The post The Daily: Matthews on Unique NHL List Alongside Former Red Wings Player; Could Bruins Find a Way to Land Stamkos? appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

During Red Wings training camp, the newly-acquired bulk of Detroit winger Lucas Raymond was all the rage. Saturday, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Michael Eyssimont found himself on the wrong end of a raging Raymond.

The third-year Swedish forward caught Essyimont with a heavy bodycheck, sending the Lightning player spilling head over heels to a landing spot on the Detroit bench.

Lucas Raymond sends Michael Eyssimont into the Red Wings bench. pic.twitter.com/jBS1Qm9Zxz

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 14, 2023

As he was being asked about Raymond’s bodycheck, Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin broke into a wide grin.

“Yeah, I know where you’re going with this,” Larkin said through his smile.

“I didn’t see it, I was on the ice. I heard the crowd go crazy and I saw a good highlight.” Larkin added: “I know he’s going to hang onto that one for a long time.”

Detroit coach Derek Lalonde was liking the overall physical presence his club began Saturday’s home opener with as they were facing a division rival.

“Just our physical play to start was great,” Lalonde said. “I think it ignited us. Obviously we were ready and very engaged.”

Red Wings Defense Rests

While Lalonde was pleased with his team’s offensive output in a 6-4 win over the Lightning, he wasn’t so enamored with how they were playing without the puck in their possession.

Odd-man rushes, breakaways and general defensive breakdowns were frequent in this game on both sides.

Dave Mishkin calls Brandon Hagel's breakaway goal setup by a beautiful seam pass by Hedman pic.twitter.com/RsW0Suh2mn

— Bucs Rays Bolts (@BucsRaysBoltsYT) October 14, 2023

“We just had six or seven really uncharacteristic plays that led to easy offense for them, which was unfortunate,” Lalonde said. “We’ll hopefully grow from that. Through camp and even on the road (for the season opener at New Jersey) in a tough environment, we weren’t giving up the odd mans.

“We could’ve made life a lot easier on ourselves. We did some good things. But we got ourselves in trouble and gave them some easy offense. We created that chaos.”

Fabbri Day to Day

Lalonde wouldn’t guarantee that forward Robby Fabbri (undisclosed injury) would be back for Monday’s game at Columbus, but he was hopeful that it could happen.

“He’s in that day to day (range),” Lalonde said. “I hope to have him back. He’s a big part of what we’re trying to do here. I think a lot of him as a player. Hope to have him for Monday.”

Red Wings Half And Half

The lineup that Detroit brought to the ice for Saturday’s home opener was 50% different than the club the Red Wings were sending over the boards last season in a 4-0 opening-night win over Montreal.

New to the team are forwards J.T. Compher, Alex DeBrincat, Christian Fischer, Daniel Spring and Klim Kostin, as well as defensemen Jeff Petry, Shayne Gostisbehere, and Justin Holl, and goalie James Reimer. Also, defenseman Jake Walman (was missing from the lineup last year due to injury.

Players no longer on the team who played in last year’s home opener include Tyler Bertuzzi, Adam Erne, Robert Hagg, Filip Hronek, Dominik Kubalik, Gustav Lindstrom, Alex Nedeljkovic, Oskar Sundqvist, and Jakub Vrana. Also, forward Elmer Soderblom, who scored in last season’s opener, is currently with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins.

Ice Chips

The Red Wings are 54-32-9-2 all-time in home openers, and 4-1-2 inside Little Caesars Arena. Detroit is 22-8-1-7 at home against Tampa Bay, and 5-2-3 at Little Caesars Arena since March 8, 2020. Detroit recalled forward Zach Aston-Reese from the AHL Griffins.

DeBrincat (3-1-4 in two games) became the third player with three goals through his first two games with the Red Wings, joining Bobby Ryan in 2020-21 (3-0-3) and Harry Watson in 1942-43 (3-1-4). Sprong and DeBrincat became the sixth and seventh player in the NHL’s expansion era (since 1967-68) with at least one goal in each of his first two games with Detroit, joining Mikael Samuelsson (four games in 2005-06), Bobby Ryan (three games in 2020-21), Danny Grant (three games in 1974-75), Martin Frk (two games in 2017-18) and Eddie Johnstone (two games in 1983-84).

The post Red Wings Notebook: Raymond A Big Hit appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

It appears that the Detroit Red Wings will be taking the ice for Saturday’s home opener against the Tampa Bay Lightning minus the injured Robby Fabbri. Might they again be leaving the ice minus a victory over the Bolts?

It’s been eight years plus a day since Detroit won an October game against Tampa Bay. On Oct. 13, 2015, current Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin set up then Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg for what would prove to be the game winner in a 3-1 victory over the Lightning. In five October games since between the two teams, Tampa Bay has won all five.

Eyes on the Home Opener. pic.twitter.com/OPWOtywsdt

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 13, 2023

Even though this will be his home debut with Detroit, forward J.T. Compher understands well the allure of facing the Lightning. He was part of the Colorado Avalanche team that beat Tampa Bay in the 2022 Stanley Cup final.

“They’ve been a top team in the league for a very long time, as long as I’ve been in the league, so you know you’re going to get a good opponent that’s gonna play hard, play detailed,” Compher said.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• The Grand Rapids Griffins opened the AHL season with a 3-2 verdict over the Colorado Eagles
• Dan Watson was a winner in his first game coaching in the AHL
• Detroit is showing a much deeper roster, but the Red Wings don’t have anyone with the talent of Jack Hughes
• How important is it for Detroit to get off to a fast start to the NHL regular season?

Red Wings Next Game

The Lightning and Red Wings drop the puck at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday. Posting three victories in a row over the Lightning at one stage last season, it appeared as though the Red Wings have finally exocised their demons against Tampa Bay. At one stage, Detroit lost all but two of 25 games vs the Lightning. However, Tampa Bay won the final two meeetings of last season both by shutout and by a combined margin of 7-0.

Atlantic Division

Boston: Cam Neely, president of the Boston Bruins, sees a lot of Raymond Bourque qualities in Bruins D Charlie McAvoy.

Montreal: The future of the Montreal Canadiens is loaded up to the brim with talented players at the AHL level on the roster of the Laval Rocket.

Florida: Florida Panthers goalie Spencer Knight was impressive in his AHL return with the Charlotte Checkers.

Tampa Bay: Former Red Wings player Luke Glendening is working as the fourth-line center for the Lightning.

Ottawa: Former Red Wings forward Daniel Alfredsson is back with the Ottawa Senators. He’ll be working in coaching an player development.

Toronto: Rookie forward Fraser Minten forced his way on to the roster of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Hockey Now Network

Pittsburgh: Where have you heard this one before? Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin combined to lead the Pittsburgh Penguins past the Washington Capitals.

Philadelphia: Among the changes for the new-look Philadelphia Flyers is an improved penalty kill.

Washington: Following a 4-0 loss to Pittsburgh, Washington Capitals coach Spencer Carbery suggested that his team has nowhere to go but up.

Islanders: The New York Islanders are giving Simon Holmstrom a shot on the top line with Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal.

New Jersey: The Arizona Coyotes did what the Red Wings couldn’t do. They beat the New Jersey Devils.

Carolina: Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield skated just 4:39 in the club’s season opener.

Nashville: Players from the Nashville Predators discuss their 3-0 win over the Seattle Kraken.

Chicago: The latest Chicago Blackhawks stock index.

SEVEN MORE YEARS OF TOEWSER! 

Devon Toews has agreed to a seven-year contract extension #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/8AD6FCVqQm

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) October 13, 2023

Colorado: Defenseman Devon Toews and the Colorado Avalanche reached an agreement on a seven-year, $50.75 million contract extension.

Vegas: In a 4-1 win over the San Jose Sharks, Braden Pachal scored his first NHL goal for the Vegas Golden Knights.

San Jose: Center Mikael Granlund has been placed on IR by the San Jose Sharks.

The post The Daily: Eight Years Have Elapsed Since Red Wings Beat Lightning in October; Glendening in Town With Tampa Bay appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.