Captain Dylan Larkin succinctly summed up what the Detroit Red Wings require from their remaining two games on the schedule.

“We need four (points),” Larkin said.

Yes they do. And yet, it still might not be enough to get them to the promised land of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Currently, Detroit, Washington and Philadelphia are all deadlocked with 87 points. Pittsburgh is a point back as all four clubs duel for the second wild card spot in the NHL’s Eastern Conference. The Penguins, Capitals and Red Wings all have two games to play. For the Flyers, there’s only one game left to go.

Here’s a look at the various methods through which Detroit can end up in the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 season.

Red Wings Playoff Scenarios

Were the Red Wings to win both of their remaining games, they’ll finish with 91 points. If that happens, then:

• Washington must lose one of its two remaining games in any fashion and finish with no more than 90 points.
• In this scenario, it wouldn’t matter what Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and the New York Islanders (89 points, currently third in the Metropolitan Division) do.

If Red Wings and Washington both win their final two games, Detroit would need the Islanders to gain no more than one point in their final two games. In this scenario, the Capitals would finish third in the Metropolitan Division with 91 points. That would be earning Washington the tiebreaker over the Islanders based on more regulation wins.

After their win last night, the @Capitals have slid into the second Wild Card spot in the East!

Watch the #StanleyCup Playoffs on @espn and @NHL_On_TNT starting April 20th.

Bracket Challenge presented by @betwayusa pic.twitter.com/2PKl36KEfQ

— NHL (@NHL) April 14, 2024

The Red Wings would earn the wild card spot with 91 points, winning the tiebreaker with the Islanders either due to more regulation wins or more regulation/overtime wins. It wouldn’t matter what Pittsburgh and Philadelphia do.

Three Points Wouldn’t Necessarily Finish Detroit

If the Red Wings gain three of a possible four points, they would still have two pathways to the playoffs:

They would need Washington to gain no more than two points in its final two games and for Pittsburgh to lose one of its two games in any fashion. In this scenario, Detroit would have 90 points, and Washington, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia a maximum of 89.

An ELECTRIC win for the @DetroitRedWings last night moves them one spot closer to the playoffs@MoneyPuckdotcom playoffs odds:@Capitals: 34.7%#RedWings: 26.2%@NHLFlyers: 22.4%@penguins: 20.6%#LGRW pic.twitter.com/la31fuPXA4

— Gamble Online Michigan (@GambleonlineMI) April 14, 2024

Or:

They would need the Islanders to lose both of their remaining games in regulation and Pittsburgh to lose in regulation to Nashville. Washington, with 90 points, would finish third in the Metropolitan Division by owning the tiebreaker with the Islanders (more regulation wins). The Red Wings, with 90 points, also would own the tiebreaker with the Islanders based on either more regulation wins or more regulation/overtime wins.

Two Points Won’t Do It

There is no scenario through which the Red Wings can reach the playoffs by gaining only two points to finish with 89. That’s because Washington plays Philadelphia on Tuesday.

This gurantees that one of those clubs is assured of having 89 points. Both own the tiebreaker with Detroit.

The post Here’s How The Red Wings Make The Playoffs appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The Detroit Red Wings severely damaged their chances of qualifying for the playoffs by losing a 2-1 decision to the Washington Capitals Tuesday night. Bob Duff detailed how veteran mistakes hurt Detroit in the narrow loss.

The Red Wings go into Thursday’s game at Pittsburgh knowing they need a win and help from other teams to get back into a favorable position for a run at the Eastern Conference second wildcard spot. The Capitals now have a one-point lead over Detroit for that position.

But the Red Wings outlook seems rosier than the Philadelphia Flyers’ perspective this morning. The Flyers also desperately needed a win against the Montreal Canadiens, a team that seeks a good draft position, not a playoff spot. But Montreal hammered the Flyers 9-3. Philadelphia has lost eight consecutive games, giving up 42 goals in those setbacks.

Philadelphia coach John Tortorella has a bigger issue about his team than its sinking playoff hopes.

“Whether it’s enough time to do what we want to do to try to get in, I’m not concerned about that,” Tortorella said. “I’m concerned about just being pros, trying to get some of our dignity back, and just playing the right way.”

Meanwhile, the New Jersey Devils were officially eliminated by a Tuesday loss to Toronto.

Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella meets with the media following #PHIvsMTL. pic.twitter.com/KOGf0Lt8BK

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) April 10, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Andrew Copp suffered a broken cheekbone when he was hit by a Washington Capitals’ high stick.  No penalty was called on the play.
• Detroit defenseman Moritz Seider came down with the flu bug the morning of the Washington game.
• Coach Derek Lalonde’s Detroit squad desperately needs Alex DeBrincat to start scoring again.

Red Wings Next Game

Tuesday’s Washington game was called the Red Wings’ biggest game in a decade.  They could have established a positive tone for their quest to qualify for the playoffs. But Detroit lost that game 2-1. Now, Thursday’s Red Wings game at Pittsburgh is their biggest game of the season. Should they lose that game, the Red Wings’ odds of qualifying are reduced significantly. Detroit has four games remaining.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Jimmy Murphy writes that officials got the call correct on the Hurricanes’ no-goal in the game against the Boston Bruins.

Chicago: Former Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville opened up on a podcast, saying “I should have asked  more questions.”

Colorado: Nathan MacKinnon put on an offensive fireworks show in the Colorado Avalanche‘s 5-2 win against the Minnesota Wild.

Montreal: Juraj Slafkovsky registers his first hat trick for the Montreal Canadiens.

New Jersey: Devils top scorer and leader Jack Hughes will miss the rest of the season because he is having shoulder surgery. The Devils also were officially eliminated from playoff consideration.  New Jersey Devils.

Pittsburgh: The Pittsburgh Penguins will need help to qualify for the playoffs.

The post The Daily: Red Wings Stumble, Flyers Fall; NJ Eliminated appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The Philadelphia Flyers are watching their Eastern Conference playoff hope self-destruct. New goalie Ivan Fedotov wasn’t sharp and the Flyers made too many mistakes in Friday’s 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres.

Coach John Tortorella’s Flyers have lost six in a row.

The Flyers still have a one-point lead for the final Eastern Conference wildcard spot. But with only five games remaining and the team not playing well, the Flyers will have difficulty holding that lead.

With Philadelphia desperate for goals, Tortorella only used skilled Joel Farabee just over seven minutes in the game.

“The Flyers out-attempted Buffalo 12-4 in those seven minutes,” Philadelphia Hockey Now’s Jonathan Bailey wrote. ” Oh, and the scoring chances were 8-0 in favor of the Flyers during that period. 75% of the Flyers’ shots with Farabee on the ice were scoring chances, and yet he played seven minutes at 5-on-5. It’s becoming increasingly clear who head coach John Tortorella has an axe to grind with. ”

Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella meets with the media following #PHIvsBUF. pic.twitter.com/fTgQru6VdC

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) April 6, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Defenseman Simon Edvinsson is plus-3 in his last two games, continuing to show why he will be a 20-plus minute defenseman for the Red Wings next season.
• A bad third period penalty by David Perron had consequences in the Red Wings’ 4-3 loss to the New York Rangers Friday.
• Detroit’s ‘Lyon King’ is giving the Red Wings a chance to earn the Eastern Conference wildcard spot.
• The Grand Rapids Griffins have added some prospects down the stretch to give them a taste of the American Hockey League.

Red Wings Next Game

With only six games remaining in the season, the Red Wings badly need to beat the Buffalo Sabres Sunday at 1 p.m. Detroit is 2-1 against the Sabres this season. The Red Wings beat them 4-1 three weeks ago at Little Caesars Arena. The Sabres have been playing well of late, winning three of their last four.

Hockey Now Network

Colorado: The Colorado Avalanche lost forward Mikko Rantanen to an upper body injury. Evan Rawal has the details.

Florida: Paul Maurice talks about why he really enjoys coaching the Florida Panthers.

New Jersey: The Devils are likely to lose an unsigned college draftee to free agency. James Nichols has the details. New Jersey Devils.

Pittsburgh: The Pittsburgh Penguins didn’t do anything, but their playoff chances improved Friday night. Dave Molinari has the details of how other wildcard contenders lost.

San Jose: Sheng Peng has the details on why college hockey’s top free agent prize signed with San Jose Sharks.

The post The Daily: Flyers Playoff Hopes Melting Down; Rantanen Hurt appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

John Tortorella is the NHL’s fire breathing dragon. When he opens his mouth, people are burned.

The Philadelphia Flyers run of Tortorella hot-take moments continued when he let loose with a fiery speech to amplify how he feels about his team. Was this directed at fans or players? Maybe both. Jonathan Bailey has the story of another Tortorella blast.

“It follows me around, and so be it,” Tortorella said. “If a player is going to quit on me, or players or going to quit on me because I’m trying to make them better people and better athletes, you’ve got the wrong damn coach here, and you’ve got the wrong damn people here,” Tortorella began.

“My job is, I’m going to push athletes. . . I was in control the other night. What I said I meant. And, quite honestly, when I watch the tape now, I’m more concerned than just the second period. Because of, I’m so proud of the team getting here.

“And I guess now that narrative out there is, because I’ve heard from other people, is that they’re young, they’re not supposed to be here… bulls–t! We’re here! We’re here; face it!”

The Flyers are 5-7-4 since March 1 and 0-3-2 in their last five games.

“I don’t think we’re ready to be better, and that’s my problem with us right now,” Tortorella concluded. “And it is my job. I have not done a good enough job to get them over the hump after playing those seven games. I haven’t done a good enough job to make them understand we have to be different now. We have to be at a different level.

“That’s my frustration with me, and that’s my frustration with the team. If people can’t handle it, so be it.”

John Tortorella delivered an impassioned @NHLFlyers press conference today, explaining his coaching philosophies and interactions with players.

A must-watch 90-seconds pic.twitter.com/8mvhOVvLBu

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 3, 2024

An Old Fashioned Line Brawl

You gotta this: The New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers engaged in a 1970s-style line brawl. New Jersey Hockey Now’s James Nichols explains why this happened.

A FULL ON 5v5 LINE BRAWL TO START THE GAME

CHAOS AT MSG pic.twitter.com/k95BsP34xA

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 3, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Michael Rasmussen will miss Friday’s game against the New York Rangers with an upper body injury. He is questionable for Sunday’s game as well.
• The Simon Edvinsson era has officially started with the Detroit Red Wings. He has played well enough to be included in Detroit’s regular mix.
• Two Red Wings prospects honored, including Toledo Walleye goalie Jan Bednar.
• Detroit prospect defensemen Axel Sandin Pellikka and Anton Johansson are making an impact in the Swedish Hockey League.

Red Wings Next Game

Alex Lyon will be making a third consecutive start in goal Friday when the Red Wings play at home against the New York Rangers.  He has stopped 70 out of 74 shots (.946 save percentage) in his past two starts.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Jimmy Murphy explores whether James van Riemsdyk will be in the Boston Bruins‘ lineup for the opening game of NHL playoffs.

Chicago: Nate Brown says former Red Wings player Petr Mrazek has been the Chicago Blackhawks MVP this season.

Colorado: Valeri Nichushkin will join the Colorado Avalanche on their road trip? Will he play? Evan Rawal weighs in.

Montreal: MHN offers some possible offseason trade targets for the Montreal Canadiens.

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski writes that the Pittsburgh Penguins may finally be showing their character with a last-ditch run at making the playoffs.

The post The Daily: Tortorella Won’t Stop Venting; Old School Line Brawl appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Philadelphia Flyers coach John Tortorella never pulls his punches in his post-game press briefings. When he’s not happy with his team, everybody knows it.

PHN’s Jonathan Bailey offers the details of Tortorella’s criticism of his team after a 3-2 overtime loss to the New York Islanders. This game is important to the Detroit Red Wings because they are one point behind the Flyers. Philadelphia currently holds third place in the Metropolitan Division, but Washington is also one point back and has three games in hand. The expectation is the Flyers will end up in the fight for the final wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference.

“There are certain people that don’t have a clue how to play,” Tortorella explained. “Or just don’t have it in them to play in these types of situations. This is why I’m glad we’re playing, because we have to figure things out, as far as what we’re going to become as a team here.

“That was an embarrassing second period for the Philadelphia Flyers uniform, the way we played. Embarrassing. High marks as far as how we came back in the third period. Some guys.”

Tortorella doesn’t accept fatigue as an excuse.

“If you don’t have the balls to play in these types of games, rest doesn’t do us any good,” Tortorella said.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Alex Lyon played a significant role in the Red Wings’ 4-2 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning.  Detroit went 3-0 against the Lightning this season.
• Two Detroit Red Wings prospects will be playing in the NCAA Frozen Four starting April 11. One of them is Kris Draper’s son, Kienan.
• Detroit first-round draft pick Sebastian Cossa has helped the Grand Rapids Griffins earn at least one point in 17 consecutive games. He hasn’t lost a game in regulation in 80 days.

Red Wings Next Game

After pulling off a critical road win against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Red Wings have three days to prepare for an equally important contest against the New York Rangers on Friday. They also play Sunday at home against the Buffalo Sabres. The Red Wings were 1-2-2 on their five-game road trip, earning four out of a possible 10 points.  The Rangers lost 5-2 to the Pittsburgh Penguins Monday. Before then, the Rangers had won seven of their last eight. Since Jan. 27, the Rangers are 20-5-1.

Hockey Now Network

Calgary: Trevor Neufeld explores what has happened with the Calgary Flames since rtheir UFA selloff before the trade deadline. It’s not pretty.

Chicago:  Nate Brown weighs in on whether the Chicago Blackhawks should pursue a trade for Trevor Zegras in the offseason.

Nashville: NHN’s Michael Gallagher looks at the Nashville Predators‘ interest in top college free agents.

Pittsburgh: Wayne Crosby ties Gretzky record in Pittsburgh Penguins win against the New York Rangers.

San Jose: Sheng Peng looks at what former Detroit Red Wings player Klim Kostin needs to do to maximize his value to the San Jose Sharks.

The post The Daily: Torts Questions If Flyers Have ‘The Balls’; Crosby Feat appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Bob Duff wrote an entertaining story Saturday about the Eastern Conference wildcard race. His point is there are only tortoises and no hares in this race. Nobody is speeding to the finish. It’s a bunch of slowpokes bumping along the course. There’s more meandering than racing.

It should be a sprint to the finish. But it’s shaping up like a marathon.

With at least one wild card race on the line, the Red Wings are 3-9-2 in March. The only reason they are still in the hunt is the New York Islanders have swooned, the Washington Capitals are an imperfect team and the Philadelphia Flyers have problems that even iron-willed John Tortorella can’t fix.

As Duff points out, this is an Eastern Conference wildcard race that no one wants to win.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Bob Duff explains why the struggling Red Wings still have a chance to secure a playoff spot. Nobody is taking charge in the Eastern Conference wildcard race.
• Michigan State and Michigan play against each other today in the NCAA Regional Final.  Detroit prospects Trey Augustine and Red Savage play for the Spartans and Kienan Draper is on Michigan’s team.
• The Red Wings called up Zach Aston-Reese from Grand Rapids Griffins, but he didn’t play against the Florida Panthers.
• Are the Detroit Red Wings in state of denial when it comes to the Eastern playoff race?

Red Wings Next Game

Detroit’s next opponent is the hottest team in the Atlantic Division. The Tampa Bay Lightning are 8-1-1 and the Red Wings play them Monday as the last game in their five-game road trip. Detroit is 0-2-2 in the first four games of this road trip. The Red Wings have scored five goals in the four games.  The Lightning, meanwhile, haven’t scored fewer than three goals in any game this season. In their 8-1-1 run, the Lightning have outscored opponents, 40-18.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: NHL scout says Bruins are tough no matter who they play. Boston Bruins.

Chicago: The Chicago Blackhawks unexpectedly do the Detroit Red Wings a favor by knocking off the Philadelphia Flyers.

New Jersey: Injured defenseman Dougie Hamilton is “probably” not coming back this season for the New Jersey Devils. 

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski slams another unacceptable Pittsburgh Penguins loss. The Penguins play this season has been hard to watch.

San Jose: Believe it or not, Mackenzie Blackwood has had the best season for a San Jose Sharks goalie since the days of Evgeni Nabokov.

The post The Daily: No Hares, Just Tortoises in East Wildcard Race; ‘Hawks Surprise appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The NHL is accustomed to Philadelphia Flyers coach John Tortorella making news with how he runs his team and what he has to say in his press conferences.

But Tuesday he added a new wrinkle to his show: He apologized.

PHN’s Jonathan Bailey wrote that Tortorella admitted he poorly handled a situation when asked his thoughts about how goalie Felix Sandstrom played against Florida Sunday night. Instead of speaking, Tortorella raised his arms twice, and walked off.

“It appears that both he and the Flyers quickly picked up on how negatively this reaction was perceived,” Bailey wrote.

Tortorella’s apology: “I made a terrible mistake with you guys the other night when. . . my body language was wrong. I tried to communicate with you guys after. He’s trying. Sandy’s trying,” Tortorella told traveling media in New York. “Things happened this year that put our goaltending situation into a little bit of a state of flux. Sandy did not deserve that from me.

“He did not deserve that from me. It was wrong.”

Tortorella this morning apologized for his non-response when asked about goalie Felix Sandstrom's play Sunday: "I made a terrible mistake with you guys the other night. You might have asked me about Sanny. My body language was wrong. What I should have said to you was … (1/2) https://t.co/lzzfrxpAyA

— Adam Kimelman (@NHLAdamK) March 26, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Too many third period mistakes dooms coach Derek Lalonde‘s team in overtime loss to Washington Tuesday.
• Detroit prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka scores overtime playoff goal for Skelleftea in the Swedish Hockey League.
• The Grand Rapids Griffins are on the verge of getting somewhere they haven’t been since 2019.
• The Red Wings hope they have discovered a late-round sleeper. They signed 2023 seventh-round draft pick Emmitt Finnie.

Red Wings Next Game

The Red Wings are looking to break a seven-game road losing streak when they play the Carolina Hurricanes Thursday in Raleigh. The Hurricanes are 11-3-1 in their last 15 games. The Hurricanes are second in the Metropolitan Division, three points behind the New York Rangers.

Hockey Now Network

Chicago: Nate Brown writes that former Notre Dame player Landon Slaggert may be another piece for the Chicago Blackhawks future.

Colorado: Avalanche coach Jared Bednar was not happy with his team’s energy level in sleepy loss to Montreal. Colorado Avalanche.

Montreal: Juraj Slafkovsky sets Montreal Canadiens record in win against the Colorado Avalanche.

Pittsburgh: Jake Guentzel made it clear that it was the Pittsburgh Penguins‘ decision to trade him. “Not my choice,” he said.

San Jose: San Jose Hockey Now’s Sheng Peng breaks down the different scenarios possible regarding whether the San Jose Sharks receive the Pittsburgh Penguins’ first round draft this year or next year.

The post The Daily: Tortorella Adds Twist to His Act; Wings Prospect News appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Tim Robinson’s story about the Detroit Red Wings‘ fifth consecutive loss had plenty of disappointing news for Detroit fans including the fact Michael Rasmussen left the game with an undisclosed injury.

Detroit coach Derek Lalonde didn’t have a Rasmussen update after the game. An update could come today if the Red Wings practice. Otherwise, we won’t hear until Monday.

The losing streak couldn’t come at a worse time because the New York Islanders have won five in a row while Detroit has lost five. The Red Wings now own the Eastern Conference’s second wild card spot. They are two points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning who own the first wild card position.  The Islanders are now only two points behind Detroit and  have two games in hand.

Detroit group was more like itself than it was against Colorado and Arizona. The Rasmussen late first period goal seemed to bring them back online.

Not much is going right for the Red Wings at the moment. They have given up four or more goals in each of their five consecutive losses. Opponents Detroit 25-8 in the five games.

The Red Wings certainly understand there’s pressure on them to win in Buffalo Tuesday. That’s the last game of this four-game road trip.

“I just think you got to concentrate on our effort,” Lalonde said. “We did that pretty much from the second period on in Arizona.  Unfortunately, we’re not being rewarded. Keep an effort like that and I think we’ll have some success going forward.”

JT on the power play. pic.twitter.com/winRi1r2NW

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

Red Wings In Case You Missed

• No luck for the Red Wings in Las Vegas. Jonathan Marchessault registered a hat trick to lead the Golden Knights to a 5-3 triumph against Detroit.
• Patrick spent just a minute in the Arizona Coyotes organization and the franchise paid homage to his time on social media. Coyotes had some fun.
• Klim Kostin isn’t a good fit with the Red Wings.
• GM Steve Yzerman believes goalie prospect Sebastian Cossa is headed in the right direction. .

Red Wings Next Game

The Red Wings will take a season-long five game losing streak into a Tuesday game against the Buffalo Sabres. Without injured captain Dylan Larkin, the team has not been itself.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Newcomer Patrick Maroon already has plenty of respect from Boston Bruins veterans.

Calgary: Trevor Neufeld graded how Pacific Division teams, including the Calgary Flames, performed before the NHL trade deadline.

Chicago:  With Notre Dame getting knocked out of the Big Ten tournament, Nate Brown says the Chicago Blackhawks may be signing Landon Slaggert quickly. He had 20 goals and 31 points in 36 games.

Nashville: James Nichols explores what the New Jersey Devils goalie plan is moving forward.

Philadelphia:  Video included: Coach John Tortorella is ejected. It happened in the Philadelphia Flyers‘ loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Pittsburgh: The Pittsburgh Penguins sad post-NHL trade deadline reality was on display in a 5-1 loss to the Boston Bruins. Dan Kingerski sums up the Penguins mess.

The post The Daily: No Word on Rasmussen Injury; Tortorella Ejected appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

A few NHL teams are interested in acquiring defenseman Sean Walker from the Philadelphia Flyers before the March 8 NHL trade deadline. But the Flyers haven’t decided whether they will move him.

Reports say the Flyers are still talking to Walker’s agent, presumably about the possibility of re-signing him. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

“The Flyers defenseman has been one of the most heavily discussed players in NHL trade talks for what feels like the whole season,” Philly Hockey Now’s Jonathan Bailey writes. “Of course, the debate is not whether Walker fits with Philadelphia, but whether extending him is worth potentially passing up high-value assets in return for his services.”

The Flyers are trying to compete for a playoff spot while still being true to their efforts to rebuild. It’s a challenging tightrope to walk.

Teams are also interested in Walker’s partner, Nick Seeler. Both defensemen have played well as scouts have scrutinized their play.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• The Grand Rapids Griffins‘ points streak has reached 12 games. Amadeus Lombardi and Austin Czarnik scored big goals in a win against Rockford.
• Phoenix Suns player Devin Booker was decked out in a Steve Yzerman Detroit Red Wings jersey when he showed up at the NBA All-Star game.
• Filip Zadina is in the same position in San Jose as he was in Detroit, but he did have a four-point game.

Red Wings Next Game

Detroit finishes its four-game road trip with a contest against the Seattle Kraken this afternoon (3:30 p.m.).  The Red Wings need a win to salvage four points out of the trip.  Alex Lyon will be back in Detroit’s net. Coach Derek Lalonde rested Lyon against Calgary and James Reimer posted a shutout.

Hockey Now Network

Chicago: The Chicago Blackhawks sent struggling youngster Lukas Reichel to the AHL with the hope he can rediscover his game. He has 10 points in 50 games this season.

Montreal: When will David Reinbacher start playing in North America? MHN’s Marc Dumont has the story. Montreal Canadiens.

Pittsburgh: On a day when the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrated Jaromir Jagr’s career in the city, they had another third period letdown and fell to the Los Angeles Kings.

The post The Daily: Contenders Eye Flyers ‘D’; Lyon Starts vs. Seattle appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Philly Hockey Now’s Jonathan Bailey wrote this week that the Philadelphia Flyers should make a pitch to acquire Buffalo Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt before the March 8 NHL trade deadline.

Trade rumors have the Sabres exploring what Mittelstadt’s value is in the trade market.  Mittelstadt, 25, continues to improve. This season, he shows 12 goals and 42 points in 50 games. He will be a restricted free agent this summer and his asking price will be well above the $2.6 million he is earning this season.

The question Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams is probably asking is how many higher salaried players his team can afford moving forward. Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, Dylan Cozens and Tage Thomson already have received new lucrative deals

The Sabres need goaltending. The Flyers can’t help there. But the Sabres need defensive help, and the Flyers could offer help there. Bailey this could be a deal that could help both teams.

“The Philadelphia Flyers have expressed their seriousness about making hockey trades that make sense for the organization,” Bailey wrote, ” whether it be for now, the future, or both. They now have the opportunity to prove it by making a Casey Mittelstadt trade with the Buffalo Sabres.”

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Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• The Red Wings goalie situation has already changed dramatically. Can it change again? Can Ville Husso  play a prominent role?
• Klim Kostin probably won’t play today. Bob Duff takes a look at how the Detroit forward lines shape up after the break.
• Patrick Kane and Ben Chiarot have recovered from their injuries and will play today against Vancouver.
• Behind the paywall: Tim Robinson offers a progress report on Detroit prospect goalie Rudy Guimond who is playing in the USHL.

Red Wings Next Game

Alex Lyon will be starting for the Detroit Red Wings today when they meet the No. 1-ranked Vancouver Canucks in a Saturday (1 p.m.) matinee at Little Caesars Arena. The Canucks (34-12-5) own the NHL’s best record this season. The Red Wings (26-18-6) enter the game in an Eastern Conference wild card spot, two points ahead of the New York Islanders.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: The Bruins will add speed to the lineup with the call up of Anthony Richard. Jimmy Murphy has the story. Boston Bruins.

Colorado: Evan Rawal weighs in about what the Colorado Avalanche should do before the trade deadline. He thinks there’s still an available center who could help.

Pittsburgh: The Penguins are one of the teams battling the Red Wings for an Eastern Conference wild card position. PHN’s Dan Kingerski has that story plus, a tidbit about the Vancouver Canucks being interested in ex-Penguins player Phil Kessel. Pittsburgh Penguins. 

Nashville: NHN examines which Nashville Predators are underachieving and what players are overachieving.

New York: A report by Pierre LeBrun say GM Lou Lamoriello is trying to acquire some help up front for the New York Islanders before the trade deadline.

New Jersey: Reports say GM Tom Fitzgerald still plans to be aggressive before the NHL trade deadline. The New Jersey Devils need help in goal and defense.

San Jose: Banged up Mikael Granlund could be back on the ice for practice tomorrow. He is a possible trade target before the deadline. San Jose Sharks. 

The post The Daily: Why Flyers Should Trade for Mittelstadt; NHL Rumors appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.