The Daily: Red Wings Fight Through Tough Schedule; ‘Bob’ Hits 400

Fights. Quality goaltending. Moritz Seider’s heavy hitting. Two power play goals. Patrick Kane’s skill. The Detroit Red Wings used everything they had Thursday night to beat down the New Jersey Devils 5-3.

Christian Fischer had a fight and a goal. Ben Chiarot got into a scrap. Seider posted seven hits.

“I never felt comfortable with the flow all night,” coach Derek Lalonde said.  “But I gave our guys credit. They just kind of used that emotion and battled. So that’s a really good win against a very good team. “

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— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 25, 2024

Given the challenging schedule they faced, Detroit’s 4-3 record after seven games is better-than-expected. Coach Derek Lalonde’s team carries a three-game winning streak into Saturday’s game in Buffalo. Their last two wins, both coming in regulation, came against Eastern Conference opponents (New York Islanders and New Jersey).

Even that is significant because the Red Wings missed the playoffs last season because of the tiebreaker. Regulation wins is the No. 1 tiebreaker, and head-to-head results are not far down the list.

The Sabres (3-4-1) are another Eastern Conference foe expected to be in the playoff race. They are supposed to be an improved team this season. It’s very early, but this already feels like an important game.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Former Red Wings player Daniel Sprong was a healthy scratch in three of Vancouver’s first six games. He has one goal in three games.

Bob Duff writes that the Red Wings should promote other younger players, similar to what the Detroit Tigers did.

Paywall story:  The decision to play Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson together as the No. 1 defensive pairing is paying off. Seider has enjoyed an intimidatingly strong start and Edvinsson is growing more effective by the game. To subscribe to our paywall stories and enjoy ad-free navigation, sign up here.  Don’t forget: If you sign up for a Detroit Hockey Now subscriptions, you also can read the paywalled stories at other Hockey Now sites.

Red Wings Extra

Coach Derek Lalonde’s team  (4-3) will practice today before heading to Buffalo for Saturday’s matinee game against the Sabres (1 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network).  With heavy emphasis placed on their defensive game in training camp, the Red Wings ranked 11th overall in the early going with a 2.86 goals-against average. They were 24th (3.33 per game) last season.

Hockey Now Network

Florida: Sergei Bobrovsky recorded his 400th career win. No NHL goalie has reached that mark faster. Florida Panthers

New Jersey: Devils coach Sheldon Keefe was miffed at the officiating in the Devils’ 5-3 loss to the Red Wings. He particularly disliked the extra two minutes Brenden Dillon received after his fight with Christian Fischer. New Jersey Devils.

Pittsburgh: Penguins send Tristan Jarry home to work on his goaltending form. Pittsburgh Penguins.

San Jose: Sharks coach calls out top line and former Red Wings player Klim Kostin. San Jose Sharks.