Detroit Red Wings fans will be tuning into tonight’s game with Toronto to see if their team can keep their playoff hopes alive. But they could end up seeing Auston Matthews accomplish an NHL feat that hasn’t been seen in 31 years.

Matthews needs two goals to become the NHL’s first 70-goal scorer since the 1992-93 season when Teemu Selanne (Winnipeg) and Alexander Mogilny (Buffalo) both scored 76 goals. Mogilny did it in 77 games and Selanne, then a rookie, played all 84 of his team’s games.

Matthews owns a seven-game scoring streak during which he has scored nine goals to get to 68. The Maple Leafs are motivated to help him to arrive at 70 in this game because they want to rest some of the Toronto veterans in their final two games before the playoffs begin. A motivated Toronto squad is not good news for the Red Wings who need to win this game to have a fair chance to qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in eight years.

The Red Wings have severely damaged their odds by losing 2-1 to Washington on Tuesday and falling 6-5 in overtime to Pittsburgh this week.

Leafs Auston Matthews scores his 68th goal of the season.

He's now on pace to record the 15th 70-goal season in NHL history pic.twitter.com/ej7mnSREGS

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) April 12, 2024

Game Time

Thursday: Detroit at Toronto

Where: Scotiabank Arena

TV/RADIO: Bally Sports Detroit/97.1 FM

Time: 7 p.m.

Maple Leafs Preview

Max Domi missed yesterday’s practice, but he did participate in this morning’s optional skate. He’s officially day to day. Defenseman Timothy Liljegren (upper body) is expected to play today…Matthews has 18 multiple-goal games this season, including six hat tricks… Earlier this season, goalie Ilya Samsonov was struggling to the point that the Maple Leafs sent him to the minors. He cleared waivers to arrive there. Samsonov worked on his game, came back to the team, and he’s 18-4-1 in his last 23 decisions…The Maple Leafs are lined up to play the Florida Panthers in the first round. But the Panthers are only one point behind the Boston Bruins for the No. 1 spot in the Atlantic Division. The Bruins do have a game in hand.

Red Wings Preview

The Red Wings are going with James Reimer in net. Reimer has won three of his last four starts and he beat Toronto Jan. 14, giving up only two goals on 30 shots. . .  Other than in net, same lineup as last game. Forwards Andrew Copp (broken cheekbone) and Michael Rasmussen (upper body injury) are still out…Alex DeBrincat has scored one goal in his past 20 games…Lucas Raymond has five goals and three assists for eight points in his past five games.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

— Bob Kaser (@bkaser1) March 29, 2024

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

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

Red Wings Need Help

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

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

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

The Detroit Red Wings are shopping defenseman Justin Holl. Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs are on the lookout for a right-hand shot defender.

The Leafs know Holl well. Is there a chance that he could return to his previous NHL haunt?

Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman was floating this possibility during the latest edition of his 32 Thoughts podcats with co-host Jeff Marek.

Friedman: “Toronto is looking for a right shot defender, you know who’s available?”

Marek: “Justin Holl?”

Friedman: “Yup”#leafsforever

— Hockey Patrol (@HockeyPatrol) March 4, 2024

Holl left the Leafs after six seasons last summer. He would sign a three-year, $10.2 million pact with the Red Wings as an unrestricted free agent.

To suggest Holl’s first Detroit season hasn’t gone swimmingly would be like saying that the Titanic hit a speed bump on its maiden journey. Through 35 games, Holl shows just five assists next to his name on the stats sheet.

As the Red Wings ready to take the ice in Colorado on Wednesday facing the Avalanche, Holl has become a spare part for the winged wheel.

Since Ben Chiarot was returing from injury, Olli Maatta has become a regular with Shayne Gostisbehere in Detroit’s third pairing. Holl is the odd man out. He’s been a healthy scratch for the past 11 games.

Red Wings Seeking Defensive Upgrade

At the same time, NHL sources are indicating that Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman desires an upgrade on his defense. He is working to be adding a rearguard with some snarl to the Detroit mix. Yzerman will need to move a defenseman out to make this happen and Holl is the leading candidate to be going.

Certainly, Leafs fans aren’t at all enamored with the thought of Holl returning to the Buds’ blueline. He was never a fan favorite, to put it mildly.

Well then! I don’t normally get aroused by stat sheets, but that looks nice. I listened to Friedman talk about bringing back Holl today and I was physically sic!

— Ryan Currie (@Swampdonkey17) March 5, 2024

Still, his numbers aren’t worthy of such venom. Holl was a double-digit plus player in each of his last four seasons with Toronto. He was good for 20 points in two of those four seasons. Over that same four-season span, Holl’s SAT% was 50.9.

His appeal to Toronto could be cost certainty. Tight to the salary cap, the Leafs will know exactly what they’ll be paying Holl for the next two seasons going forward. And certainly, Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe is going to be quite familiar with Holl’s work. There would be less of an adjustment period for Holl to fit into Toronto’s system as opposed to someone new to the team.

Arizona, Anaheim and Chicago are other potential destinations being suggested for Holl.

The post Could Red Wings Arrange Holl Homecoming? appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Former Detroit Red Wings player Tyler Bertuzzi celebrated his 29th birthday this week by pulling himself out of a torturous scoring slump.

After going 19 games without a goal, Bertuzzi now has five goals in his past six games. That included a hat trick at Colorado on his birthday. He has nine shots over his past two games. Bertuzzi now has 12 goals and is on pace for 15 or 16 goals. That’s certainly a better projection than he had a week ago.

Bertuzzi’s rejuvenation comes at a good time for the Maple Leafs who are trying to hold off the Red Wings for third place in the Atlantic Division. The Maple Leafs have a two-point lead over Detroit with a game in hand.

What hasn’t changed for Bertuzzi is his plus-minus. He is -3 in his past six games. Bertuzzi has gone 12 games without a “plus” game. The Maple Leafs have won nine of those games.

Goal No. 100 for Tyler Bertuzzi gets the Buds on the board! pic.twitter.com/7ssZ0C2tfI

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 25, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Bob Duff writes about how the Detroit Red Wings may be getting a boost from the Detroit Lions playoff success. Coach Derek Lalonde hopes he can persuade Lions coach Dan Campbell to visit the team.
• Lalonde expects the New York Islanders to play with urgency against the Red Wings tonight.
• Why the Red Wings may not be in line in the Jake Guentzel Sweepstakes.
• Paywall story: Tim Robinson explores why the Grand Rapids Griffins have been able to put together a 16-game points streak. Detroit Hockey Now is in the midst of a campaign to increase our subscriptions. If you want our paywall stories, our national paywall stories, and no advertising on your browsing, all you need do is sign up  To subscribe, click here: to get $10 off, use the promo code kevin10.

Red Wings Next Game

The Red Wings are home to face the New York Islanders tonight (7 p.m.). Patrick Kane takes a nine-game points (5-9-14) streak into the game. Kane has 30 points (12-18-30) overall in 28 games. Alex Lyon will start in goal.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Jake DeBrusk, a potential summer UFS, confirmed that contract talks with the Boston Bruins have stalled.  That gives the Boston Bruins a decision to make before the March 8 NHL trade deadline.

Calgary: The Flames acquired prospect defenseman Artem Grushnikov, a 2024 second round pick, and a conditional third round pick in 2026 (if Dallas reaches the Stanley Cup Final). The Flames kept 50% of Tanev’s salary and the New Jersey Devils accepted another 25% in exchange for a fourth-round pick from the Stars. Calgary Flames. 

Chicago: Nate Brown writes that the Chicago Blackhawks’ record and schedule puts them in a good position for the draft lottery.

Montreal: Marc Dumont explains in detail how the Swiss National League playoff scenario will impact prospect David Reinbacher’s arrival in North America. Montreal Canadiens. 

Philadelphia: Jonathan Bailey writes that the Tanev trade doesn’t rule out the possibility of the Philadelphia Flyers receiving a first rounder for Sean Walker.

Pittsburgh: ESPN is reporting that the Jake Guentzel asking price is “sky high.”  No one should be surprised. The Pittsburgh Penguins undoubtedly are hoping this deal can be a major boost to their retooling.

The post The Daily: Happy Birthday! Bertuzzi Out of Slump; Tanev Traded appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

A comparison of the Tyler Bertuzzi and Anthony Mantha scoring statistics this morning makes no sense if you have followed the careers of both former Red Wings.

Mantha has 17 goals in 50 games for the Washington Capitals. Bertuzzi has seven goals in 53 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs. At the start of this season, Toronto fans were excited about Bertuzzi signing with the Maple Leafs. Fans believed he was going to be a difference-maker. At the start of this season, Washington fans viewed Mantha as an ongoing disappointment.

Six months later, Bertuzzi has one goal in his past 21 games, while Mantha has five goals and four points for nine points in his past 10 games.

Mantha started this season on the fourth line in Washington and is currently playing on Washington’s second line. The increase of Mantha’s offensive production has prompted speculation that the Capitals will be able to trade him to a playoff team before the March 8 trade deadline.

Best Season as Cap

With 17 goals, 28 points and a +6 plus-minus, Mantha is headed toward his best season since the Red Wings traded him to Washington in 2020-21.

Both Bertuzzi and Mantha will be unrestricted free agents this summer

The Bertuzzi struggles are more surprising than Mantha’s recent success. Bertuzzi had two 20-goal seasons, and one 20-goal seasons in Detroit. He was an impact player, even when he didn’t have the puck. His teammates loved his tenacity and pluckiness.  Bertuzzi was popular with his teammates.

After he was traded at the last trade deadline to Boston, Bruins quickly became a fan of his game. Bruins management liked how well he played in the postseason (Five goals, five assists, 10 points) and tried to re-sign him.

But the Ontario native opted to sign with the Maple Leafs. To fit into the Maple Leafs’ cap situation, he took a one-year deal for $5.5 million. The Bertuzzi storyline was his was betting on himself. If he played as well as everyone expected he would, Bertuzzi would be rewarded with a lucrative, long-term deal.

Salary Cut?

Unless he picks up the offensive pace or stars in the postseason, Bertuzzi may be losing the bet on himself.

He is on  pace for an 11-goal season. It doesn’t help that he is -7 in his past eight games. It’s not as if he isn’t playing with top players. He’s currently on a line with William Nylander, and he’s been with Auston Matthews or John Tavares at times

A Toronto insider said Bertuzzi has not been as feisty and aggressive as fans hoped he would be.

There’s still time for him to turn his season around. The Maple Leafs have 28 games remaining, and Bertuzzi’s game — at least the game he showed in Detroit — was made for the playoffs. If Bertuzzi has a strong playoff, all will be forgiven.

However, if he doesn’t turn up the volume on his offense, then the bet on himself will cost him. He probably will not be offered the same $5.5 million he earned this season.

The post Bertuzzi Bet May Not Pay Off; Mantha Stays Hot appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Relax, Detroit Red Wings fans. The Griddy of Red Wings defenseman Jake Walman isn’t becoming a victim of cancel culture.

You may have seen a published report suggesting that the NHL is cracking down on goal celebrations by players and that Walman’s delightful Griddy is going to go the way of the maskless netminder.

It’s not. The league isn’t canceling the Griddy. In fact, if you’ve been paying attention, they are celebrating it.

Jake Walman (@walman_9) nets the @Energizer overtime winner on the penalty shot!

Guess what his celly was… pic.twitter.com/EHX5Lgd0bU

— NHL (@NHL) February 10, 2024

When Walman beat Vancouver Canucks goalie Casey DeSmith on a penalty shot in Saturday’s 4-3 win by Detroit at Little Ceasars Arena, the NHL highlighted the entire moment – including the post-goal Griddy – on the league’s official social media account.

Friedman Report Taken Out Of Context

This entire rumor about cancel culture claiming the Griddy as a victim originates from something Hockey Night In Canada NHL insider Elliotte Frieman suggested during his popular 32 Thoughts podcast with co-host Jeff Marek. It was during a segment relating to the recent suspension of Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly.

Rielly was handed a five-game sitdown by the NHL Department of Player Safety. He cross-checked Ottawa’s Ridly Greig in the face after the latter fired a slapshot in an empty Toronto net to clinch a Senators victory.

please stop retweeting the "nhl warns players following Griddy celebration" it's a literal nonstory based on Elliotte Friedman saying following the Morgan Rielly crosscheck, he'd expect the NHL to warn both teams not to "retaliate" for Walman hitting the Griddy

— Prashanth Iyer (@iyer_prashanth) February 15, 2024

Friedman noted that he wouldn’t be surprised if the league had spoken to the Red Wings and Canucks regarding any possibility retaliation by the Canucks over Saturday’s celebration by Walman. Considering what transpired in Toronto, that would make sense. It’s a proactive move to ensure that there won’t be any shenanigans.

What Friedman didn’t say, and what that league isn’t doing, is putting a stop to the Griddy. And why would they?

It’s entertaining moment. Walman isn’t taunting the opposition. He’s merely joyously celebrating a huge goal for his team. Remember, he’s only done the Griddy three times. There was last season following his OT winner at Pittsburgh. He also pulled it out earlier season after scoring in OT at Montreal.

“I hadn’t done it at home,” Walman said after Saturday’s win. “It’s cool.

“Anytime I can kind of show the fans what they want, I’m gonna do that. It was fun.”

Walman Will Griddy For Charity

Moving forward, Walman is intending to griddy for a good cause.

“In the next month I’m rolling out some initiative with that logo and the Griddy,” Walman explained. “It’ll benefit the boys and girls clubs in Detroit. All the proceeds are gonna go to that. It’ll be for a good cause.”

The post Griddy of Red Wings Walman Isn’t Getting Canceled appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Former Detroit Red Wings player Tyler Bertuzzi, now with Toronto, has gone 14 games without a goal, although he sure thought he scored one over the weekend against the Winnipeg Jets. It was negated by a goalie interference call.

Some folks are still wondering if it was the proper call:

Tyler Bertuzzi's goal is waived off due to goalie interference.

Was this the right call? pic.twitter.com/7qXFmnKJgQ

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 28, 2024

The NHL put out an official explanation of the decision:

Tyler Bertuzzi's goal is waived off due to goalie interference.

Was this the right call? pic.twitter.com/7qXFmnKJgQ

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 28, 2024

It’s been that kind of season for Bertuzzi who was a popular player with teammates and fans in Detroit. He signed a $5.25 million year deal with the Maple Leafs last summer, presumably believing he would earn a multi-year deal once the Maple Leafs appreciated all that he brings to a team. The Boston Bruins, who acquired him last trade deadline from Detroit, hated to see him leave.

But Bertuzzi’s production has been down this season. He currently has six goals and 20 points in 46 games. With 35 games remaining, Bertuzzi is on pace to register 11 goals and 25 assists for 36 points.  That’s below expectations for a player who put up 30 goals and 62 points for the Red Wings in 2021-22. The big question for Bertuzzi is how much the Maple Leafs will be willing to pay him moving forward. He will be an unrestricted free agent again this summer.

Bertuzzi has six assists during his ongoing goalless drought. His plus-minus is even.

The Red Wings and Maple Leafs have one game remaining this season, April 13 in Toronto.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Coach Derek Lalonde knows Detroit can’t afford to get overly emotional about Wednesday’s game against the Ottawa Senators
• Defenseman Moritz Seider says players understand how important it is for the team to continue to give up two or fewer goals per game.
• By watching the Detroit Lions, Dylan Larkin and Co. know what their fan base will be like if they can get into the playoffs.
• Paywall story: Jonatan Berggren is ready to step in if the Red Wings have an injury at forward.

Red Wings Next Game

It’s fair to say the Red Wings want a win badly against the Ottawa Senators Wednesday. They primarily want the victory because it keeps them churning ahead in their pursuit of a playoff position. They would finish their homestand with a 4-1 record and they would be 10-2-1 in January. But the Red Wings also want this win because the Senators have caused them nothing but trouble. Fans remember the back-to-back losses against the Senators last season in Ottawa and they certainly remember what happened to Dylan Larkin earlier this season. The Red Wings are 1-1-1 against Ottawa this season.

Hockey Now Network

Buffalo: Should the Buffalo Sabres make a call to the Columbus Blue Jackets on David Jiricek? Jason Moser has the story.

Chicago: The Chicago Blackhawks believe they have a keeper in 6-foot-4 prospect defenseman Ethan Del Mastro.

Colorado: Evan Rawal writes how travel out West is completely different than travel in the Eastern Conference. Colorado Avalanche.

Montreal: MHN Now looks at the Montreal Canadiens potential trading partners for the NHL trade deadline.

Nashville: Michael Gallagher takes a look at the Milwaukee Admirals’ 10-game winning streak. Are the Predators’ prospects helping? Nashville Predators.

Philadelphia: Prize prospect Matvei Michkov benched in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Philadelphia Flyers. 

San Jose: Mike Hoffman tells SJHN why he chose to use “pride tape” on his stick. San Jose Sharks. 

The post The Daily: Bertuzzi No Goals in 14 Games; Senators To Test Detroit appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Things couldn’t be going much better for the Detroit Red Wings on their current road trip. They staged third-period rallies to win a pair of games against Atlantic Division rivals – 4-2 at Toronto and 3-2 in overtime at Florida. The outcomes moved Detroit into third place in the division, one point ahead of the Maple Leafs and seven points back of the second-place Panthers.

“Huge first two games of this road trip for us,” Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin told Bally Sports Detroit.

Practice day in Carolina.#LGRW pic.twitter.com/393UAXVhZK

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 18, 2024

In Carolina for a Friday matchup with the Hurricanes, the Red Wings are also in position to achieve an accomplishment not seen by this franchise in more than a decade. They could be extending their road winning streak to six games.

Prior to the two wins on this trip, the Red Wings went 3-0 on their California swing. There was a 5-3 victory at San Jose followed by a 4-3 shootout win at Los Angeles and and 3-2 success at Anaheim. It was the first time since 2008 that Detroit was sweeping the club’s California swing.

“For sure, it feels good, but it doesn’t come for free,” Red Wings goalie Alex Lyon said of the club’s recent road success. “If you take it for granted and the second you start to think there’s momentum that’s going to build on itself, that’s when it’s going to go back the other way.

“We just have to continue to stay on the details and move forward. We got another huge game in a very tough building in two days.”

The current five-game road winning streak was previously most recently achieved in March of 2013. That stretch started with a 3-2 OT decision at Edmonton. Next was a 5-2 victory at Vancouver, followed by successive wins at Anaheim by 5-1 and 2-1 counts. The fifth triumph came in the form of a 3-2 verdict at Phoenix.

Red Wings Best Road Streak since 2011

You have to go back in the annals a total of 13 years to find a better Detroit road performance. Twice during the 2010-11 season, the Red Wings would post six successive road victories.

The more recent stretch was in February of 2011. It started with a 6-1 win at Boston. Next came a 6-2 victory over Tampa Bay and a 4-3 verdict at Florida. Then there back-to-back shootout verdicts – 2-1 at Buffalo and 3-2 at Minnesota. Finally, a 7-4 win at LA extended the streak to six road wins.

THAT'S GAME, BABY!#EasyToCelebrate | #LGRW pic.twitter.com/rLSbJc9Ru9

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 18, 2024

The prior streak took place in December of 2010 and January of 2011. There was a 4-1 win at Minnesota, followed a a 4-3 OT decision at Colorado. Then came a 7-3 win at Dallas, a 5-3 decision at Edmonton and successive shootout triumphs – 5-4 at Calgary and 2-1 Vancouver.

The club record for consecutive road wins is 12. That mark was set during the 2005-06 season, from March 1 through April 15.

The post Suddenly, Red Wings Are Road Warriors appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The Detroit Red Wings will be facing two of the toughest opponents in the Eastern Conference on the road without one of their best players.

George Richards of Florida Hockey Now is reporting that Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde was confirming this morning that Patrick Kane won’t be playing in either of the remaining two games on Detroit’s East Coast road swing. The Red Wings play Wednesday at the Florida Panthers and Friday at the Carolina Hurricanes.

Patrick Kane will be out for the Red Wings until they get back to Detroit.

Not a hip injury.

— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) January 16, 2024

Kane is suffering from a lower-body injury. However, the team did confirm that his injury is in no way related to the hip resurfacing surgery that Kane underwent last summer.

“Lower-body injury, not related to his hip,” Lalonde told the Red Wings Twitter site. “He’s not going to be available for this trip.”

Lalonde suggested that they should have a better idea of the extent of Kane’s absence from the team by this weekend. Detroit is playing at home Sunday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“When we get back to Detroit we’ll have a better feel,” Lalonde said. “Probably have an update after the trip.”

Kane Hurt In Toronto

Kane was suffering his injury early on during Sunday’s 4-2 win at Toronto. He would play one minute and seven seconds in the first period before his lower-body injury was forcing him out of the game. He took a hit from forward Pontus Holmberg at 3:21 of the first period and then a short time later went tumbling into the boards while checking Holmberg at Detroit’s goalmouth.

An update on Patrick Kane, per coach Lalonde:

Lower-body injury (not related to his hip). He will be out for the remainder of the road trip and we will see how he’s progressing when we return to Detroit. pic.twitter.com/4WADE1z8wv

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 16, 2024

The Red Wings signed Kane on Nov. 29, and he has made the Red Wings offense more dangerous. He had a goal and an assist Saturday in a win against the Los Angeles Kings. He has 16 points in 19 games, including five multi-point games. Kane is displaying impressive chemistry working in tandem with Alex DeBrincat. This duo were also linemates when they were together with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Detroit players have learned to count on Kane’s stickhandling ability to bring the puck into the offensive zone. He has been a catalyst on the power play. Losing him for any long-term scenario would be a significant loss

The post Kane Out For Red Wings Road Trip appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

TORONTO — After an eventful day, Andrew Copp made it a good night for the Red Wings.

Copp, who ended a 26-game scoring drought earlier this week, scored for the third time in as many games to help lift Detroit past Toronto, 4-2, on Sunday. After the win, the Red Wings (22-16-6) now sit in one of the Eastern Conference’s two wild card spots. Detroit is 6-1-1 in its last eight games.

Copp took a pass from Michael Rasmussen with 1:40 remaining to beat Toronto goalie Ilya Samsonov, who had frustrated the Wings with numerous big saves the first two periods.

“We were trying to keep it simple with two minutes left,” Copp said. “You don’t want to do anything too crazy. Ras found me on a great pass. Kind of had to out-wait a few guys sliding and then put it in. ”

Kane Injured Early

The win was costly:  The Red Wings lost Patrick Kane in the first period to a lower-body injury. He t0ok  hits on each of his first two shifts and did not return.

Daniel Sprong tied the game with a backhand shot early in the third and Lucas Raymond put it out of reach with an empty-net goal in the final seconds.

After a scoreless first period, Toronto got on the board in the opening seconds of the second period on a goal by Pontus Holmberg. That stood until Dylan Larkin tied it with 4:21 left in the period. But the Leafs retook the lead when Mitch Marner scored with less than two minutes left in the period.

A broken stick leads to great luck for @sprong97 and we have a 2-2 tie in Toronto!#LGRW pic.twitter.com/6eJ1v2C89Z

— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) January 15, 2024

The Red Wings continued their strong defensive play as of late. James Reimer made his first start in nearly three weeks and had a much better result. He had all0wed five or more goals in five of his previous seven starts. It was his first start since Dec. 27.

“I’ve been trying to practice hard and stay in it,” Reimer said. “Working on my mindset a lot, making sure I’m in a good place and set up well for when I got the opportunity and when I got the opportunity to go out there and play you know, I just do my thing and trust my game.”

Travel Delays

The game started nearly an hour late because the Red Wings couldn’t fly out of Detroit until Sunday.  The Red Wings aircraft had a mechanical issue.

The Wings didn’t leave for Toronto until Sunday afternoon and didn’t arrive at Scotiabank Arena until 6:15 p.m.

“What we could control was our effort and execution tonight.” coach Derek Lalonde said. “And I thought for the most part, guys did a really good job. We just kind of hung in there. And we got a really good performance from James. And that’s a good way for us to get two points on the road.”

The Red Wings stayed in Toronto Sunday night and are scheduled to fly to Florida on Monday. They’ll take on the Florida Panthers on Wednesday and the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday. Florida and Carolina are third and fourth, respectively, in the Eastern Conference standings.

“It was a huge win, gutsy win, all of the above,” Captain Dylan Larkin said. “When everything was stacked up against us we just battled. You could tell the buy in there. Going into the third period we were down 2-1 and we were excited about that, because everything was stacked up against us since last night’s game. So why not come back and win that one? It feels amazing.”

The post Red Wings Beat Leafs To Move Into a Playoff Spot appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.