Red Wings’ Edvinsson, Chiarot Won’t Play vs. Blues

The Detroit Red Wings will be without two of their top four defensemen — Simon Edvinsson and Ben Chiarot — tonight when they play a home game against the St. Louis Blues.

Injured Edvinsson (upper body) skated today, but has been ruled out for tonight. Chiarot was injured in Saturday’s lopsided loss to the Montreal Canadiens. He’s also out, and the Red Wings will reevaluate him after their Christmas break.

Coach Derek Lalonde said his hope is Edvinsson will be back in the lineup Friday when the team plays the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“Obviously, we have not handled Simon being out very well,” Lalonde said.

The Red Wings are 0-3 when he doesn’t play at all, including the last two games against Montreal

“It’s probably on me and our staff to be creative tonight, ” Lalonde said, “and get that home matchup and our D to step up.”

Chiarot had been plus-9 in the four games before being injured.

“It’s an upper body, something that’s plagued him throughout his career,” Lalonde said. “Hopefully, we’ll get a better feel with a couple days off.”

Talbot Starts Tonight

Cam Talbot will start in goal tonight. Both Talbot and Alex Lyon had shown rust since coming back from injury. The Red Wings have given up 13 goals in their last three games. Lalonde said the goaltending, a strength most of the season, has to be better.

“What was also a stinger the last two games was the one reliable position for us has been those two, Talbot and Lyon, and they had struggles the last couple of games,” Lalonde said. “So I expect Cam to get his game back in order.”

Talbot has given up two or fewer goals in four of his past six starts.