Detroit Red Wings
The Daily: East Wild Card Race Still Undecided: Lagesson in Lineup
The Columbus Blue Jackets refuse to go away quietly. The Blue Jackets downed the Philadelphia Flyers 3-0 to force the Eastern Conference wildcard race to go to Game 82.
The Montreal Canadiens must earn a point in their final game tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes to claim the second wild card spot. If they fail in that mission, the Blue Jackets can earn the spot by winning a home game against the New York Islanders on Thursday.
Columbus hasn’t been in the playoffs since 2020. Most pundits projected the Blue Jackets to be near the bottom of the league standings this season. Give GM Don Waddell credit for changing the culture.
Red Wings In Case You Missed It
Remembering a time when the Detroit Red Wings did rule the NHL playoffs. Bob Duff has the details.
Axel Sandin Pellikka and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard are joining the Grand Rapids Griffins, not the Red Wings.
Do the Red Wings have Albert Johansson penciled in for next season? It seems like he has earned a spot.
Red Wings Extra
Detroit has a road game tonight in New Jersey (7:30, TNT). Either Petr Mrazek or Alex Lyon will start in net. Coach Todd McLellan said defenseman William Lagesson will play tonight and also tomorrow in Toronto. Elmer Soderblom is officially out for the final two games. Although it was too little too late, the Red Wings are 5-2-1 in their last eight games.
Hockey Now Network
Montreal: MHN looks at why the hockey world is already fascinated with rookie Ivan Demidov. Montreal Canadiens.
New York: The Islanders are a team badly in need of change. Will they go after Mitch Marner? New York Islanders.
Pittsburgh: Everyone in hockey appreciates Sidney Crosby’s value as a player, including those he plays against. Pittsburgh Penguins.
San Jose:Â In light of Logan Couture’s retirement, what is next for the Sharks. Sheng explores the team’s direction. San Jose Sharks.Â
Should be an interesting finish in the WC race. Montreal is 1-9 in its last ten against Carolina, CBJ is 3-7 in its last 10 against the Isles. Tough matchups for both. I’m excited to watch Demidov again. If he has a great game and they beat Carolina, Canadian fans are going to go nuts.