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The Daily: Red Wings Can’t Shake Slump; Johansen Update

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Andrew Copp, Red Wings

Given how well the Detroit Red Wings were playing in January, it’s challenging to make sense of how poorly the Red Wings are performing these days.



They lost eight of their last nine games, including a 6-3 loss in Pittsburgh Sunday. They are 1-6 since Dylan Larkin was injured. The Red Wings expect Larkin back in the lineup this week.  Will his return make the team right again?

“There’s a lot to unpack following the latest Detroit Red Wings setback,” Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff wrote. “Some of it is puzzling, much of it alarming.”

Detroit fans indeed understand that they can’t qualify for the playoffs if they continue to play this poorly.

The players know it as well.

“We can talk about the execution and that, but it’s about being hard and compete and effort,”  Detroit forward Andrew Copp said. “I don’t think we did a good enough job of that.”

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

  • Captain Dylan Larkin is expected to return to Detroit’s lineup at some point this week. Coach Derek Lalonde didn’t have a precise timeline.
  • Do the Red Wings go back to James Reimer on Tuesday?
  • Check out the second edition of the Detroit Hockey Now Podcast. We talk about Vladimir Konstantinov. We will be dropping episodes once per week.
  • Paywall story: Tim Robinson updates readers on Detroit draft pick Brady Cleveland, To subscribe, click here.  Use the promo code kevin10 to receive a $10 discount.

Red Wings Next Game

With eight losses in their last nine games, the Red Wings desperately need to play well and defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday at Little Caesars Arena.  Columbus ranks 29th in the NHL with a .416 points percentage. Their goal differential is -46. The Blue Jackets have lost four of their last five and have averaged less than two goals per game in those games.

Hockey Now Network

Florida Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov is scheduled for a disciplinary hearing today for his hit on Tampa Bay’s Conor Sheary. Florida Panthers.

Philadelphia: GM Danny Briere fully explained the Ryan Johansen injury saga, including the fact the Philadelphia Flyers didn’t know he was injured when they acquired him.

Pittsburgh: A triumph over the struggling Red Wings gives the Pittsburgh Penguins playoff hope. Dan Kingerski writes that the Pens now have a stronger playoff pulse.

San Jose: Junior Sharks graduate Devin Cooley was living the dream, even though he lost his first NHL start in goal. San Jose Sharks.