Detroit Red Wings

The Daily: Red Wings’ Next Game is Big One; Prospect Update

Published

2 weeks ago

January 5, 2025

The Detroit Red Wings are trying to grab a very tiny share of the local sports spotlight away from the Detroit Lions on the final Sunday of the NFL regular-season.

Let’s make sure we’re clear: What the below .500 Red Wings have accomplished with their four-game winning streak doesn’t compare with the opportunity the Lions have today facing the Minnesota Vikings.

But the four wins under new coach Todd McLellan has set up a meaningful game against the Ottawa Senators at Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday that didn’t seem possible on Dec. 25.

Merry Christmas Red Wings fans. Detroit is now two points behind the Ottawa Senators for the final wildcard spot. Before Derek Lalonde was fired and McLellan took over, fans were starting to look at who the Red Wings could draft with a top five pick.

"A light has been brought back to our team."

Dylan Larkin chats with @snseanreynolds following the Red Wings fourth straight win in five games under their new head coach, Todd McLellan. pic.twitter.com/OoNHXReTzr

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 5, 2025

The Red Wings are far from an elite team — and this modest winning streak could be followed by a losing skid. But Detroit’s hockey team has at least been entertaining for the past 10 days. Anyone who watched Detroit’s win over Winnipeg probably has some hope.

Here’s Tim Robinson’s story on Detroit’s Saturday night win in Winnipeg.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Red Wings goalie prospect Trey Augustine will face another Detroit prospect Jesse Kiiskinen in the gold medal game at the World Junior Championships. Max Plante is also on the U.S. team. Axel Sandin Pellikka’s Sweden team is playing for the bronze.

Bob Duff writes about five differences in the Detroit team since Todd McLellan took over as head coach.

Bad luck has followed Filip Zadina to Europe: He’s out four weeks with an injury. With 15 goals in 30 games, Zadina is among the Swiss National League’s top goal scorers.

Red Wings Extra

There’s been new names on the score sheet since Todd McLellan became coach. However, it’s Detroit key players that have primarily stepped up in the team’s four-game winning streak. In those four triumphs, Alex DeBrincat (4-3-7), Patrick Kane (3-4-7) and Lucas Raymond (2-5-7) have seven points each. Captain Dylan Larkin (4-2-6) boasts six points. Moritz Seider has contributed five assists. The Red Wings have netted 17 goals (4.25 goals per game) in the four victories.