The Daily: Red Wings Must Stand Up to Senators; Marchand Tale

To appreciate the challenge the Detroit Red Wings face tonight when they play on the road against the Ottawa Senators, know that the Brady Tkachuk-led Senators lead in nearly every statistical category.

The Senators score more, give up fewer goals and their team owns a save percentage of .905, compared to Detroit’s .895. Ottawa’s goal-differential is -1 and Detroit’s is -21. The Senators’ penalty killing and face-off prowess are superior to Detroit’s.

You can see where we are going with this.  Maybe the biggest disadvantage the Red Wings have is in physical play. Bob Duff recently wrote about this. The Ottawa Senators rank fifth in the NHL with 1,582 hits. That’s 25.5 hits per game. Detroit, meanwhile, ranks 28th in hits at 18.2 per game.

The Senators are 18-9-2 at home, and they are 6-1-1 against the Red Wings over their past eight games and Ottawa’s physical play was a major factor.

That’s why this is a critical game for both the Senators and Red Wings. If the Senators win in regulation, they will have a five-point lead over Detroit for a wildcard spot with 18 games remaining. If the Red Wings win in regulation, they are only one point behind the Senators and two points behind the idle Columbus Blue Jackets.

Everyone understands the importance of the contest.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Detroit coach Todd McLellan can create a spark for the Red Wings by starting Petr Mrazek against Ottawa tonight.

Believe it or not, the Red Wings are closer to picking No. 7 in the 2025 NHL draft than qualifying for the playoffs

Defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka set a new SHL record for most goals by a teenager at that potential.

Red Wings Extra

Red Wings coach Todd McLellan was in no hurry to say whether newly-acquired goalie Petr Mrazek would play today against the Ottawa Senators (7 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network). However, Craig Smith, who came from Chicago in the Mrazek deal, will play tonight, probably on the third line with Michael Rasmussen at center. There’s also a chance Smith, a five-time 20-plus goal scorer, could play on a line with J.T. Compher.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Andrew Fantucchio explains why the Brad Marchand contract negotiations fell apart with the Boston Bruins. 

Chicago: The Blackhawks recall prize defenseman prospect Artyom Levshunov, the former Michigan State player. Chicago Blackhawks. 

Colorado: Aarif Deen writes about the possibility  that the Avalanche have the NHL’s best No. 2 line. Colorado Avalanche.

New Jersey: James Nichols looks at whether the futures of Simon Nemec and Seamus Casey are in jeopardy. New Jersey Devils.

Philadelphia: Coach John Tortorella shows more tough love by benching premium rookie Matvei Michkov yet again. Philadelphia Flyers.

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski writes that the Penguins acquired Luke Schenn with the idea of putting him on the roster. But Schenn wanted to play for a contender, and GM Kyle Dubas obliged. Pittsburgh Penguins.