Red Wings vs. Islanders: Notes, Lines, Goalies, How to Watch

The Red Wings are struggling, to state the obvious.

They have 16 points after 18 games, and are tied for last place in the Eastern Conference with Montreal and Columbus. That’s the negative.

But they’re also just three points out of a playoff spot, and while that might seem Pollyanna-ish, it’s also true at this time.

That doesn’t account for the lackluster play on the recent West Coast road swing, and the team’s overall performance this season doesn’t point toward a playoff spot so much as a major step back from last season.

Detroit goes into tonight’s game on a three-game losing streak, but they play five of the next six games at home. It looks now to be a crucial stretch for the Red Wings.

The New York Islanders, coached by old nemesis Patrick Roy, have their own problems and are wrapping up a five-game road trip in which they’ve gone 1-2-1.

The Wings are near the quarter pole in the NHL season, and are looking to get on the right side of things before it’s too late.

That is, if it isn’t too late already .

The Matchup

Who: Red Wings vs. Islanders

Where: Little Caesars Arena

When: 7 p.m.

TV/Radio: FanDuel/97.1 FM

Detroit Lines

Raymond-Larkin-Tarasenko

DeBrincat-Kasper-Kane

Rasmussen-Copp-Fischer

Berggren-Compher-Motte

Defensive Pairings

Edvinsson-Seider

Chiarot-Petry

Gustafsson-Johansson

Goalies

Lyon/Talbot

New York Lines