The Daily: Red Wings Want To Be Where Blues Are; Injury Update

The St. Louis Blues have won nine in a row and hold the last wildcard spot in the Western Conference. They are exactly where the Detroit Red Wings want to be in the Eastern Conference.

With nine games remaining, the Red Wings are three points out of the last wildcard spot.  They could use a nine-game winning streak.

“(The Blues are) a confident team,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan said. “I think they’re very well structured in all three zones. So they apply pressure when it needs to be applied, and after that they’re checking. And certainly since (goalie Jordan) Binnington has been back from the Four Nations and the trade deadline’s worked its way through, I think (Luke Schenn) and Binnington have been big parts of their team and they’re driving the bus right now and everybody else is following.”

But McLellan said the approach tonight is not about stopping the Blues as much as it having the Red Wings play their best hockey. The Red Wings still have injuries.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Axel Sandin Pellikka and Michael Brandsegg Nygard have advanced to the Swedish Hockey League playoff semifinal with their Skelleftea team.

The Red Wings schedule doesn’t seem to offer much hope to the Red Wings qualifying for the playoffs

Paywall story: Bob Duff explains why it’s difficult to project what Red Wings prospects will be like when they get to the NHL. All development leagues are not created equal. To read this story, subscribe here.

Red Wings Extra

Tonight’s Detroit road game against the Blues starts at 8 p.m., ET (FanDuel Sports Network). During the Blues’ streak, they have outscored their opponents 39-13. They have netted seven power play goals and given up two. While the Blues have been winning nine in a row, Detroit is 4-5. McLellan’s team has scored 28 goals and surrendered 27 goals. Detroit has scored eight power play goals in its last nine games and given up seven power play goals.

Hockey Now Network

Florida: As hard as this is to believe, the Panthers goal is to break the Montreal Canadiens spell on them. Florida Panthers. 

New Jersey: Luke Hughes continues to be impressive playing through a minor injury. James Nichols has the details. New Jersey Devils. 

Philadelphia: William James explains why Cam York is a completely different player without John Tortorella around. Philadelphia Flyers. 

Pittsburgh: Dave Molinari explains why investing in Matt Grzelcyk has paid off for the Pittsburgh Penguins

San Jose: Sheng Peng reports how fans can get a free Macklin Celebrini hockey card on national hockey card day (April 5). San Jose Sharks.