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The Daily: Ex-Red Wings signee Olkinuora still struggling in Sweden; Top trade target Meier suffers injury

Olkinuora a loser in his first two SHL decisions

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Jussi Olkinuora, ex-Red Wings
Former Red Wings goalie hopeful Jussi Olkinuora is winless since joining Brynas of the SHL.

The Detroit Red Wings brought in goaltender Jussi Olkinuora in the hopes he’d challenge for a role on the club. The Finnish netminder was, after all, coming off a season in which he’d won an Olympic gold medal and world title and been named MVP of the latter tournament.



Instead, Olkinuora couldn’t even cut it with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins and was cut loose earlier this month. He quickly caught on in Sweden with Brynas of the SHL. However, it isn’t going swimmingly for Olkinuora there, either.

He’s made three appearances for Brynas and is 0-2. Olkinuora is showing a 4.38 goals-against average and .825 save percentage. Brynas is 13th in the 14-team SHL, in danger of relegation to the Allsvenskan.

There was a 5-2 loss to Linkoping to start. Next, Olkinuora came on in relief of Anders Lindback in a 7-1 loss to Oskarshamn, allowing four goals on 14 shots.

Pulling himself from the game, Lindback went straight to the dressing room and didn’t rejoin the team on the bench. In Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Leksands, Olkinuora got the start, allowing two goals on 14 shots. His backup was Isac Grönhagen.

“I am absolutely sure that we have two goalkeepers who are experienced and who will help us in the final stages of the season,” Brynas coach Mikko Manner told Aftonbladet. I”‘m so glad we have the two of them. I’m 100% sure they can handle this and help the team.”

Griffins Keep Road Streak Going

The AHL Griffins were extending their road winning streak to five games via a 5-4 shootout win over the Manitoba Moose on Sunday. It was the first win by Grand Rapids in seven visits to Manitoba (1-5-1) though.

Victor Brattstrom stopped two shots in the shootout, with Austin Czarnik and Elmer Soderblom scoring for the Griffins. Brattstrom also collected an assist while earning the victory.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

  • Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde likes to talk about underlying numbers. But it’s those underlying numbers that could be the undoing of his club
  • Published reports are indicating that Detroit won’t be putting potential UFA forward Tyler Bertuzzi on the trading block as long as the team remains in the playoff hunt
  • Looking at the Eastern Conference Wild Card race from a points percentage standpoint would be leaving the Red Wings in ninth place
  • Bertuzzi was playing his 300th NHL game and collecting his 200th NHL point in Saturday’s 4-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken

Red Wings Next Game

It’s a game with huge playoff implications as Detroit is completing a five-game road trip on Tuesday at Washington against the Capitals. The Red Wings are two points behind the Capitals with three games in hand.

Hockey Now Network

Pittsburgh: Statistically, the third unit of the Pittsburgh Penguins is the NHL’s worst forward line. And they’re living down to that reputation.

Boston: What a difference a year has made for Boston Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk.

Montreal: In terms of their NHL trading outlook, is it deja vu all over again for the Montreal Canadiens?

Islanders: With their latest injury to Mathew Barzal, you have to wonder what it’s going to take for the New York Islanders to take a look at speedy prospect Ruslan Ishakov.

Philadelphia: The Philadelphia Flyers have lost four in a row after falling to the lowly Vancouver Canucks.

Florida: The only consistency about the Florida Panthers this season is their inconsistency.

Washington: Losers of four in a row, about to face the Red Wings, the Washington Capitals are needing to rediscover their swagger.

Vegas: Jonathan Marchessault is the latest Vegas Golden Knights forward to be rediscovering his scoring touch. He was tallying twice in Saturday’s win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

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San Jose: Forward Timo Meier of the San Jose Sharks, one of the top trade targets inthe NHL, is questionable due to an upper-body injury.

Colorado: Minus Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Cale Makar, the Colorado Avalanche came storming back from a 3-0 deficit to edge the Edmonton Oilers 6-5.

Los Angeles: Blowing a four-goal lead, the Los Angeles Kings were able to rally. They were extending their win streak to four games via a 6-5 victory over the Arizona Coyotes.

Calgary: Discussing his scooter accident in Detroit, Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson says he feels lucky to be alive.