The Daily: Can Red Wings Beat Ned Tonight?; Coyotes to Utah?

A friend will be among the foes tonight when the Detroit Red Wings battle for their playoff lives tonight on the road against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Former Detroit goalie Alex Nedeljkovic has taken over the starting goaltender’s role with the Penguins.

Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now writes that Nedeljkovic has made nine consecutive starts, and likely will make a 10th tonight against the Red Wings. Nedeljkovic was popular with his teammates when he played for Detroit. The Penguins are 6-0-3 in their last nine games.

“Can Nedeljkovic Continue to Withstand Stresses of His Job?,” Kingerski asks in a paywall story.

Nedeljkovic owns a .913 save percentage in those nine games. He has given up three or more goals, with a save percentage under .900, in five of those nine games.  He did beat the Red Wings 6-3 on March 16 when the two teams squared off in Pittsburgh

Alex Lyon will start in net for Detroit.  He has given up two or fewer goals in four of his last five starts.

Huge game tonight between the Red Wings and Penguins.
PIT: regulation win and playoff odds are 61%. Regulation loss, 17%.
DET: regulation win and playoff odds are 48%. Regulation loss, 8%.
Via @Sportlogiq pic.twitter.com/DoEwxBAPQl

— Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyNHL) April 11, 2024

Coyotes Finally Relocating?

The NHL seems to be finally giving up on the idea that the Arizona Coyotes will get a new arena built any time soon. The NHL reportedly is working to get the franchise relocated to Utah although nothing is finalized.

From an agent this morning: The reason this wouldn’t just bother the Coyotes players is that there are those who have some form of limited trade protection who don’t list Arizona on a no-trade list but might have included Salt Lake City. https://t.co/GJZE3SWHaT

— Gord Miller 🌻🇺🇦 (@GMillerTSN) April 11, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• What are the chances that Patrick Kane will return to the Red Wings? Bob Duff tells the story.
• Former Penguins player Zach Aston-Reese will play for Detroit against the Penguins tonight.
• Veteran mistakes by Detroit players cost the Red Wings in their loss to the Capitals.

Red  Wings Next Game

The Red Wings’ playoff hopes are wrapped up in tonight’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Red Wings probably can’t qualify for the playoffs if they don’t defeat the Penguins. The last time they played the Penguins in Pittsburgh (March 17) they lost 6-3.

Hockey Now Network

Boston:  Would a strict goalie rotation give the Boston Bruins an edge in the postseason? Jimmy Murphy weighs in.

Chicago: Landon Slaggert scores his first NHL goal for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Florida: Goalie Anthony Stolarz will have several suitors when he becomes a UFA this summer, but he hopes to stay with the Florida Panthers.

Montreal: Marc Dumont writes about the three members of the Montreal Canadiens who have something to prove over the final three games.

Philadelphia: John Tortorella is staying behind the Philadelphia Flyers‘ bench.  Rumor quashed.