Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings Wrap: Malkin Game-Time Decision Sunday vs. Detroit

Published

2 years ago

March 27, 2022

Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin's playing status is unknown going into Sunday's game against Detroit. He has been eill

Evgeni Malkin didn’t practice Saturday because of a non-COVID illness. It’s a game-time decision whether he plays Sunday in the Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 5 p.m. ET start against the Detroit Red Wings.

Malkin didn’t play Friday when the Penguins lost 5-1 to the Rangers. They only had 11 forwards in that game. Defenseman Mark Friedman dressed for the game but played limited minutes. They recalled Kasper Bjorkqvist on an emergency basis from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League.

Meanwhile, the Red Wings are coming off a 2-1 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. They have lost nine of their last 11, although they did pick up a couple of extra points for pushing the Minnesota Wild and Lightning beyond regulation.

The Red Wings lost the matinee game against Tampa Bay on special teams. The Lightning scored two power-play goals, including the winner in overtime. Detroit went 0-for-5 on the power play. Detroit is 1-for-10 on the power play in the past five games.

“I don’t want to take away from their kill but I would say we had opportunities to attack better off the flank,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “And if you attack off the flank, you’re drawing their D up. The way they kill, they kind of stand with two guys in the middle and they sweep down and then their D come up. When you attack that D, now you make them nervous. He’s got to get into a shot block position. Then you get opportunities to drop it low or to shot tip and get pucks around the cage. I didn’t think we attacked well enough there.”

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Bob Duffer writes about Mike Knuble playing his first NHL game on the night of the Fight Night at the Joe.

Also, why Chase Pearson’s first NHL chance might only be one game.

Hot Wings

Over the past five games, Detroit goalie Alex Nedeljkovic has stopped 153 of 163 shots on goal for a .939 save percentage

Cold Wings

While remaining beastly on the ice, rookie defenseman Moritz Seider has only one point in his past 10 games.

Grand Rapids Griffins

The Griffins beat the Bakersfield Condors 4-3 in overtime on Riley Barber’s goal. Jonatan Berggren was pointless in the game, but he had six shots on goal. Defenseman Donovan Sebrango was +1. Defenseman Wyatt Newpower played his first game since being injured Feb. 19.

Around the NHL

Boston: The Boston Bruins extended their win streak to four games with a 6-3 win over the New York Islanders and temporarily, at least, took over second place in the Atlantic Division. Erik Haula, Taylor Hall and Brad Marchand each had a goal and an assist in a dominating win over the Islanders Saturday. Joe Haggerty wrote, Hampus Lindholm has come as advertised for the Boston Bruins.

New York: Will forward Anthony Beauvillier remain with the New York Islanders beyond this season?

Philadelphia: Flyers fans and media have not forgotten that former Flyers and current Penguins general manager Ron Hextall passed on defenseman Cale Makar at the 2017 draft and claimed now former Flyers forward Nolan Patrick.

Florida: Hart Trophy candidate and Florida Panthers forward Jonathan Huberdeau is set to rack up another milestone.

Colorado: Avalanche versaitle defenseman Kurtis MacDermid is the kind of player every contender needs.