The Daily: Perron Nets Goal vs. Ex-Teammates; Ekblad Punished

Former Detroit Red Wings player David Perron, one of the leaders of last season’s team, has endured a challenging season because he was dealing with a newborn daughter’s illness and his own injury.

But the affable forward has reignited his game in time to help the Ottawa Senators move past the Red Wings in the Eastern Conference wildcard race.

Perron netted a power play goal in Ottawa’s 2-1 win against the Red Wings in Ottawa. Perron only has four goals and eight points in 25 games this season, but he has three goals and four points in his past five games.

The  win gave the Senators a five-point lead over Detroit.

The Red Wings, respecting Perron’s impact in Detroit’s dressing room, tried to re-sign him last summer. But the Senators landed him with a two-year offer at $4 million per season.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Bob Duff writes about how the Red Wings may have missed an opportunity when they didn’t pursue a trade for goalie Linus Ullmark when he was available.

Paywall story: Why GM Steve Yzerman didn’t make more moves on Friday NHL Trade Deadline. To subscribe to DHN+, click here:

Red Wings Extra

After Detroit’s 2-1 road loss to the Ottawa Senators, they now project to select 10th (pre-draft lottery) in the 2025 draft. They are four points out of an Eastern Conference playoff spot, and also four points out of selecting seventh in the draft. Tankathon.com has the Red Wings taking high-scoring center Jake O’Brien (Brantford, OHL, 93 points in 63 games). Detroit will take a six-game losing streak into Wednesday’s home game against the Buffalo Sabres (7:30, TNT, FanDuel Sports Network).

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Interim coach Joe Sacco explained why Matthew Poitras was sent back to the AHL. Boston Bruins 

Florida: Defenseman Aaron Ekblad suspended 20 games for a failed drug test. Florida Panthers. 

Montreal: Marc Dumont offers that the Habs have no margin for error when it comes to the playoffs race. Montreal Canadiens. 

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski writes that Pittsburgh GM Kyle Dubas seems to headed down road of his past mistakes. Pittsburgh Penguins. 

San Jose: William Eklund talks about what Fabian Zetterlund means to him, and about how weary he is of losing. San Jose Sharks.