Detroit Red Wings
The Daily: Red Wings Face Struggling Stamkos; Kasper Hope
As Steven Stamkos, so goes the Nashville Predators. At least, that’s how it has gone in the first four games of the season.
Stamkos, signed in the offseason, hasn’t registered a point in a Predators jersey and they haven’t won a game with him in the lineup. The 0-4 Predators face the Red Wings today in a 2 p.m., ET matinee in Music City. The game will be on Bally.
According to dailyfaceoff.com line combinations, the Predators are currently using him on the wing on a line centered by Tommy Novak. But coach Andrew Brunette has also used him at center in his attempts to help Stamkos acclimate to his new team. He played 16 seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning before leaving through free agency.
Stamkos does have 14 shots on goal, and boasts a Corsi of 73.6 in the early going.
Much like the Red Wings, the Predators are struggling defensively. They have given up 18 goals in their four losses. Coach Derek Lalonde’s team has surrended 15 in their four games.
Red Wings In Case You Missed It
Ville Husso‘s shutout in Grand Rapids established a new franchise record. DHN has the details.
Coach Derek Lalonde has thoughts on what Marco Kasper has to do to make this call-up permanent.
Behind paywall: Bob Duff writes about how captain Dylan Larkin has high expectations for Marco Kasper on this call-up to Detroit. Is this the start of the Kasper era? To subscribe to our paywall stories, click here.
Red Wings Extra
It’s fair to say that the Detroit fan base is ready to give Marco Kasper, 20, a permanent place on Detroit’s roster. There is genuine excitement seeing him in the lineup today against the Predators. Fans are hoping for offensive production, but mostly what they want to see from Kasper is energy and competitiveness. That is what he showed in the preseason.
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Florida: The Panthers have brought in a new “hybrid” named Uvis Balinskis. He is a player who can do it all when it comes to helping a team. Florida Panthers.
Philadelphia: Jonathan Bailey writes that calls for Alexei Kolosov grow louder as Ivan Fedotov continues to struggle in the Flyers net. Philadelphia Flyers.
Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski explains why the Penguins’ Friday loss to Carolina raises important questions. Pittsburgh Penguins.
San Jose: Sheng Peng explores the development plan for Will Smith. San Jose Sharks.