Plenty to ponder this morning as the Detroit Red Wings prepare to put their season on the line tonight at home against the Montreal Canadiens.

Moneypuck.com gives Detroit a 33.8% probability of earning the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. To accomplish that, the Red Wings likely would have to beat Montreal tonight in Detroit and again Tuesday in Montreal.  Bob Duff has a story detailing why that path isn’t as easy as some analysts seem to believe it is.

Duff wrote another piece looking at the decision coach Derek Lalonde has about who to start in goal tonight against the Habs. Lyon has been the team’s No. 1 goalie, but Reimer battled and delivered a critical win against Toronto.

Do you start Reimer tonight and Lyon Tuesday? Or, do you start Lyon tonight? Reimer is 7-2 in his last nine decision. Duff’s story looks into whether the Red Wings have a goalie controversy at this late hour.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• A Detroit prospect has won a second NCAA championship. Tim Robinson has the details.
• Captain Dylan Larkin delivered the goal that saved Detroit’s season. The overtime tally against Toronto gives Detroit a reasonable chance of qualifying.
• Bob Duff explains the scenarios that land the Detroit Red Wings in a playoff spot for the first time since 2016.
• Paywall story: Tim Robinson wrote about prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka’s impressive season, noting that the young defenseman wouldn’t even be in the sport if his grandfather hadn’t intervened when he was young.  To subscribe, click here.Use the promo code kevin10 to get $10 off the yearly subscription price.

Red Wings Next Game

The Red Wings finish the season with a home-and-home series against the Montreal Canadiens. Tonight’s game is in Little Caesars Arena (7 p.m.). From a practical standpoint, Detroit must win both games and hope the Washington Capitals don’t earn four points. Washington, Philadelphia an Detroit are tied. Washington has the tiebreaker and Philadelphia only has one game left. If the Red Wings win both games, the Penguins are also not a factor.

Hockey Now Network

Chicago: The Chicago Blackhawks‘ fourth consecutive loss assures they will have the NHL’s second-best draft odds at 13.5%. The San Jose Sharks will have the best odds at 25%.

Colorado: What’s wrong with the Colorado Avalanche? They blow a 3-0 third period lead and fall to the Vegas Golden Knights in overtime.

Florida: Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson finds himself in a much better place than he was a year go. The move to the Florida Panthers has reinvigorated his career.

Montreal: Marc Dumont tells us what to expect for recently-signed prospect defenseman Lane Hutson. He can be a difference-maker for the Montreal Canadiens.

Philadelphia: In a paywall story, Jonathan Bailey writes that Travis Konecny’s shorthanded goal may have saved the Philadelphia Flyers‘ season.

Pittsburgh:  The Pittsburgh Penguins don’t have time to analyze what happened Saturday night. Their focus now has to be on winning their last two games.

The post The Daily: Red Wings Chances, ‘Hawks Odds, Lyon or Reimer? appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The Detroit Red Wings are left with two must-win games remaining on the NHL schedule in order to keep their playoff hopes alive. And as they arrive are Game 81 of the campaign, they are still facing the same question they’ve been dealing with for much of this season.

They don’t know who their go-to goalie is.

Left with a home-and-home set against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday-Tuesday to close out the regular season, do the Red Wings stick with veteran James Reimer? He got the win on Saturday in Toronto in his 500th career NHL game, drawing rave reviews from the team.

Transforming into a member of the 5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ NHL games played club.

Congratulations to @DetroitRedWings goaltender James Reimer! pic.twitter.com/lFtDnW8lFX

— NHLPA (@NHLPA) April 13, 2024

“The ultimate teammate,” was how captain Dylan Larkin was describing Reimer to Bally Sports Detroit. “He’s got the best attitude, coming to the rink with a smile.

“He gave a great speech after the game about how lucky he was to play one game, let alone 500.  It was a great locker room atmosphere after that game.”

Clearly, Reimer is giving the club a boost during his limited opportunities to work between the posts.

“He just battles,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “No matter what happens, we know we’re gonna get the most out of him and when he battles, I think it just lifts the group.”

He’s 7-2 over his last nine decisions. However, the 36-year-old puckstopper has been given successive starting assignments just once since late December.

Lyon Carrying Load For Red Wings

Since returning from injury in late December, journeyman veteran Alex Lyon, 31, has been seeing the bulk of duty between the pipes for Detroit. He’s been in the net in 36 of the last 45 games played by the Red Wings.

This season, Lyon has established career highs for games (43), wins (20) and shutouts (two).

“It speaks volumes for him as an individual, where he is in his career,” Lalonde said. “He’s a career minor leaguer. He was signed to be our starter in Grand Rapids and here he is giving us a chance this late in the season.

“It speaks really well on him.”

However, Lyon’s numbers of late aren’t tracking toward success. He’s 2-10-3 over his last 15 decisions. Granted, wins and losses by a team don’t rest solely on the shoulders of the netminder. Still, Reimer is coming off a big win. Will the Wings ride with him at home on Monday?

Husso Was Supposed To Be The Guy

At the outset of the season, Ville Husso was the de facto No. 1 goalie for Detroit. However, a pair of lower-body injuries have put him on the shelf for all but nine minutes of action since Dec. 18. Husso was to play a rehab assignment Friday with AHL Grand Rapids. However, he didn’t make it through the warmup. Lalonde indicated that Husso suffered a tweak to his injury.

@DetroitRedWings goalie Ville Husso was scheduled to start for @griffinshockey & did take warm ups but then left the ice a bit early. We are told he will no longer start nor dress tonight. @SebastianCossa will now start, riding a personal franchise record 19 game point streak pic.twitter.com/EZFn4OdDmf

— Larry Figurski (@larryfigurski) April 12, 2024

That the Red Wings are contending for the playoffs without a true No. 1 goalie is a tribute to the work that Lyon and Reimer are delivering.

“There will be a lot to reflect back on this season,” Lalonde said. “For us to lose our starting goaltender and for us to be as competitive as we’ve been in that position speaks volumes on both those guys.

“They’ve been excellent for us.”

The post Do Red Wings Have Goalie Controversy? appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Friday was to be comeback night for Detroit Red Wings netminder Ville Husso. Recovering from a lower-body injury, he was going to see his first game action guarding the net for Detroit’s top farm club, the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins.

Husso, though, didn’t make it through the pre-game warmup. After taking some shots in the Griffins net, Husso left the ice prior to the conclusion of the warmup. He was seen conversing with the Griffins training staff after leaving the ice.

@DetroitRedWings goalie Ville Husso was scheduled to start for @griffinshockey & did take warm ups but then left the ice a bit early. We are told he will no longer start nor dress tonight. @SebastianCossa will now start, riding a personal franchise record 19 game point streak pic.twitter.com/EZFn4OdDmf

— Larry Figurski (@larryfigurski) April 12, 2024

When the Griffins would skate out for their game against the Rockford IceHogs, Sebastian Cossa was the starting goalie. Carter Gylander was backing him up.

“Ville Husso is now unavailable for tonight’s game,” the Griffins posted on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter. “Sebastian Cossa will be in net.”

Following the game, Griffins coach Dan Watson was offering no update on Husso’s condition, only that he was told the netminder wouldn’t be available for the game. It was uncertain whether the Detroit goalie would be accompanying Grand Rapids to Chicago for Saturday’s game against the Wolves.

Injury-Plagued Season For Husso

Slated to be Detroit’s No. 1 goalie at the outset of the season, Husso has seen action in one NHL game since December. The Finnish puckstopper would suffer a lower-body injury in a Dec. 18 game against the Anaheim Ducks at Little Caesars Arena.

Husso sat out Detroit’s next 20 games while recovering from the ailment. Following a rehab stint at Grand Rapids in which he would post a 25-save shutout against the Belleville Senators, Husso was back in the Red Wings net for a Feb. 13 game at Edmonton against the Oilers. Just 8:48 into that game, He would suffer another lower-body injury and depart.

“I guess it’s part of it,” Husso said earlier of his injury struggles this season. “It’s one of those years that everything goes not your way. It’s been tough but it’s hockey. I’ll be stronger when I come back.”

UPDATE: The #RedWings today loaned goaltender Ville Husso to the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins for conditioning. pic.twitter.com/1njr5cFeFK

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

He was slated to see his first game action since that injury on Friday.

The Giffins lost 2-0 to the IceHogs, thus ending their 19-game home-ice point streak. As well, Cossa’s franchise-record 19-game point streak also was coming to a halt.

Sharing the Red Wings net with Alex Lyon and James Reimer, Husso is 9-5-2 in 19 games, with an .892 save percentage and 3.55 GAA.

The post Red Wings Husso Doesn’t Survive Warmup in Grand Rapids appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

No one has to tell Detroit Red Wings defenseman Olli Maatta about how fantastic the core of the Pittsburgh Penguins is. He was living it in person as a Penguins player from 2013-19, winning a pair of Stanley Cups alongside the likes of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang.

“I think they’re a proud group,” Maatta said. “They’ve done it for a long time and they still have that hunger. You know how they work day to day. They don’t take any games off. Every game matters for them.

“They want to succeed. They’re special kind of players for sure.”

Sidney Crosby continues to be recognized as the most well-rounded player on the ice – the @Penguins captain has won or tied atop the #NHLPAPlayerPoll most complete player category for five straight seasons! pic.twitter.com/EjX9MS5QQT

— NHLPA (@NHLPA) April 10, 2024

On the morning of Mar. 24, Pittsburgh sat 24th in the NHL standings and 13th in the Eastern Conference with a 30-30-9 record. The Penguins were nine points out of the final Eastern Conference playoff spot and given just a 1.7% chance of making the postseason per moneypuck.com. Now, the Penguins enter tonight’s game against Detroit with points in nine-straight games (6-0-3). Like the Red Wings, they’re one point out of a playoff spot.

“They’ve been playing great,” Detroit forward Patrick Kane said of the Penguins. “They’ve been finding ways to get points and win games. It’s been impressive, because you thought they were out of the playoff picture around the trade deadline. They’ve had quite a run.”

Crosby Leading The Way

Crosby, as is usually the case, is pacing that progress. He’s been accounting for an NHL-leading 17 points since March 24.

“I don’t think there’s ever enough to be said about how big of a leader, how special of a player he is and has been for a long time,” Maatta said of Crosby. “on’t know how somebody can do that for that long. I didn’t think that was possible but he can do it. He’s shown that. And he’s still doing it at an elite level. I think it’s gonna be a big challenge for us.”

Game Time

Thursday: Detroit at Pittsburgh

Where: PPG Paints Arena

TV/RADIO: Bally Sports Detroit/97.1 FM

Time: 7 p.m.

Penguins Preview

Pittsburgh captain Crosby reached the 40-goal plateau for the third time in his career. He’s the seventh NHL player to post a 40-goal campaign after his 36th birthday . . . Crosby needs two points to tie Phil Esposito for 10th all-time in NHL scoring. “He’s special,” Lalonde said. “He’ll go down as one of the greatest ever. He’s pushing that team.” . . . Pittsburgh is 386-88-46 when both Crosby and Malkin get a point in the same game . . . Former Red Wings goalie Alex Nedeljkovic has gaines points for Pittsburgh in each of his last nine games (6-0-3). That’s a career best for him.

Red Wings Preview

Alex Lyon will be making his sixth consecutive start tonight. “We’re ready to play James (Reimer) any time,” Lalonde said. “We’ll kind of go game by game, but we foresee James getting the net in one of these games. It’s just a matter of when.” . . . Forwards Andrew Copp (broken cheekbone) and Michael Rasmussen (upper body injury) are out.

UPDATE: The #RedWings today recalled center Zach Aston-Reese from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions. pic.twitter.com/1HbSliDuNf

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

Former Penguin Zach Aston-Reese is up from the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins. “Aston-Reese will probably help us on the penalty kill, having two of our top killers out,” Lalonde said. He’ll play on the foruth line with Christian Fischer and Austin Czarnik. Lalonde is tweaking all four lines. It’s Dylan Larkin-Alex DeBrincat-Lucas Raymond, Patrick Kane-J.T. Compher-David Perron and Joe Veleno-Robby Fabbri-Daniel Sprong on the other lines . . . D pairings remain the same, meaning Justin Holl and Jake Walman will be healthy scratches.

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

You can point to the arrival of Alex Lyon between the posts as the time during the season when the Detroit Red Wings began to really look like a playoff contender.

They’re looking like that type of team again over the past couple of games. And once again, it’s a resurgence in Lyon’s game that is driving the bus toward a postseason position.

In his last two games, he was outplaying a pair of Vezina Trophy winners in Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky and Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilevskiy. Detroit would garner three of four points from those two road games.

Lyon figures to be opposing another goalie with that pedigree on Friday in Igor Shesterkin. The Red Wings are playing host to the New York Rangers at Little Caesars Arena.

Last season, the Florida Panthers were 3 points back of the final wildcard spot with 8 games to go.

Alex Lyon went 6-1-1 in those final 8 games with a .943 Sv% to lead the Panthers to that final wild card spot.

Can he do it again? https://t.co/2v6bJUUbu0

— Prashanth Iyer (@iyer_prashanth) April 2, 2024

“He looks a lot more comfortable with his game,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said of Lyon. “When I see him out playing pucks, helping us on the breakout, when he’s controlling rebounds, he just looks sharp.

“It feels like it’s going to take a good play to beat him and I think that’s where he was at in Florida (Saturday) and that’s where he was at in Tampa (Monday) and it exudes some confidence. You can tell when a goalie is on his A game, and he’s been there.

“It’s a good sign for us. It’s no surprise it correlates with some good hockey from our team and some points.”

Lyon Is Red Wings Masterton Nominee

A career minor leaguer who’s battled for every minute he’s ever earned in an NHL net, this is the first season that the ??-year-old Lyon has spent his entire campaign in the show. It’s that intestinal fortitude, coupled with the success he’s enjoying, that’s led to the journeyman veteran being this season’s Red Wings nominee for the Masterton Trophy. That award goes to a player who displays dedication and perserverance, and that description fits Lyon to a T.

#LGRW pic.twitter.com/cm3IQf1NKC

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

In his first season as an NHL No. 1 goalie, Lyon’s resume already shows him playing a career-high 39 games. He’s 19-16-4, with two shutouts, a .907 save percentage and a 3.00 GAA.

“His mental fortitude, his play,” Lalonde suggested as to Lyon’s best assets. “His mental toughness taking on this workload. He’s been remarkable for us.”

The post Lyon’s Roar Gets Red Wings Rolling Again appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

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.

Officially, the Detroit Red Wings are currently residing in the Sunshine State. In their headspace, though, it’s abundantly clear that they’ve entered into a state of denial.

Squandering a third-period lead, the Red Wings were able to scramble back and gain a point in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers on Saturday afternoon.

“Obviously this one stings,” Detroit defenseman Jeff Petry was admitting to Bally Sports Detroit. “We wanted to get two (points).”

“It kind of feels like (Tuesday’s overtime loss at) Washington,” added Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde. “You feel a little empty, not getting the full two points.”

Dylan. Larkin. pic.twitter.com/V0PiSAwBY0

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) March 30, 2024

These offerings were rare honest insights from a team that evidently thinks with eight games to play, there’s plenty of time to right ship and get back on track for a playoff spot.

“I think our team game is growing,” Petry said. “If we bring that effort and compete every night from here on out, we’re gonna put ourselves in a good spot.”

Can’t you just picture Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman, competitor that he is, seething with rage and anger as he’s hearing these comments?

Results All That Matter For Red Wings

For the most part, the Red Wings are delivering empty plaudits about effort and compete and sticking with the process.

Lalonde was describing the outcome as both “an extremely impressive point” an a “absolute huge point.”

“Under the circumstances, you probably want both points,” the coach did admit. “But with all that said, it’s points in two of our last three games.”

Yes, an overtime loss to the team you’re chasing and a shootout loss to a team that had dropped four in a row at home and was 1-5-1 through the past seven games.

News flash – next week, it’s April. The stretch drive. And the Red Wings are chasing the Capitals for the last Eastern Conference postseason placing. A point here and a point there isn’t going to get the job done.

Giving it the old college try doesn’t amount for much in the pro ranks.

Larkin Bounces Back, Lyon Sharp

There were some positive developments during the loss. Missing most of the first period after being struck in the left knee by a Petry point shot, captain Dylan Larkin would return to score the goal that sent the game to overtime. Goalie Alex Lyon, still without a win since Feb. 27, was nonetheless sharp. He would parry 36 of 38 shots.

Poor Larkin, can’t catch a break this year. Heads off the ice less than 30 seconds into the game. pic.twitter.com/69js8v3xME

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) March 30, 2024

Overall, though, it’s not about the subtext at this juncture of the season. It’s about the outcome. The Red Wings are now 0-2-2 on this five-game road trip that concludes Monday at Tampa Bay. They’ve dropped nine in a row away from home (0-7-2). Detroit finished the month of March with a 3-9-2 slate.

That’s not a playoff drive. It’s driving off a cliff.

The post Red Wings Enter Into State of Denial appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The playoffs are officially still 11 games away, but forgive the Detroit Red Wings for feeling like they are already playing for their lives every time they take the ice.

“We’ve been in playoff mode for a while now,” Red Wings defenseman Ben Chiarot said.

Big trip. pic.twitter.com/C7Gm0iIYcL

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

That will certainly be the case on Tuesday.

At Washington to face to Capitals, Detroit is trailing the Caps by one point for the second Eastern Conference wild card spot. Making matters more concerning for the Wings, the Capitals are also holding a game in hand over Detroit.

“It’s exciting, it’s a fun time of year,” said Detroit forward Patrick Kane, a three-time Stanley Cup winner. “It’s almost like you’re in playoffs right now, even though we have 11 games left.

“You look at (this) like a playoff game. Obviously it’s the team ahead of us in the standings. If we beat them, we’re in a playoff spot. They have a game in hand and they’re playing really well right now, so it’ll be a good test for us.”

Game Time/How to Watch

7 p.m., ET, Bally Sports

Red Wings Preview

Alex Lyon will be in goal for the Red Wings, making his second consecutive start. He’s lost his last eight decisions.

“I just try to keep the same mentality, keep positive,” Lyon said. “It’s very difficult but those are the important things. You’re gonna change your game all the time. You’re always gonna be tweaking the way you feel. How’s my body feeling, how’s my brain feeling, my emotions? But the most important thing is to just continue to fight. Keeping that fight and that energy is vital.”

Defenseman Jake Walman is still sidelined with an undisclosed injury. That means Simon Edvinsson is still playing in Detroit’s top four defenseman . . . Defenseman Dan Petry (illness) is good to go. The Red Wings lines are expected to be David Perron-Dylan Larkin-Lucas Raymond, Alex DeBrincat-J.T. Compher-Patrick Kane, Michael Rasmussen-Andrew Copp-Christian Fischer, Robby Fabbri-Joe Veleno-Austin Czarnik . . . On Monday, the Red Wings assigned forward Jonatan Berggren to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins.

Detroit has been shut out three times over the past 11 games, including Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Nashville.

“Definitely some good things from the game,” Red Wings forward J.T. Compher said. “Need to create a little more offensively, not be as selective with our shots. Defensively a lot of good things.”

Capitals Preview

Since an 8-3 loss to the Red Wings at Detroit on Feb. 27, Washington goalie Charlie Lindgren is 8-3-0 with a 2.22 GAA, .923 save percentage and two shutouts . . . The Capitals are 4-1 over their past five games and 12-5-1 over the last 18 games. They are 6-2 in their last eight home games.

Alex Ovechkin celebrating his goal with his son behind the glass is everything #allcaps. pic.twitter.com/JfVgg6sRmP

— Alex Micheletti (@AlexMicheletti) March 25, 2024

Washington star Alex Ovechkin has eight goals over his past five games, including a pair of game winners . . . Capitals tough guy Tom Wilson will be sitting out the second of a six-game NHL suspension for high sticking . . . Defenseman John Carlson is riding a five-game point streak (2-3-5).

The post Playoff Race: Red Wings vs. Capitals; Lines, Notes, How to Watch 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.

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.