Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings at Canadiens: Notes, Lines, Goalies, How to Watch
The Detroit Red Wings (26-15-4) play a road game today against the Montreal Canadiens (25-13-6). The Red Wings are in second place in the Atlantic Division, percentage points behind the first place Canadiens.
Where: Bell Centre
When: 7 p.m. ET
TV/Radio: FanDuel Sports Network/97.1 FM
Odds: Detroit (+1.5, -205), Montreal (-1.5, +170).
Hot: James van Riemsdyk shows two goals and six assists for eight points in his past six games.
Not: Emmitt Finnie has no points in his past seven games. He’s minus-9 in those seven games.
Spotlight: A new member of the NHL’s 500-goal club, Kane shows 17 points (5-12-17) and a plus-nine rating in 18 games since Nov. 22 vs. Columbus.
Story: The top spot in the Atlantic Division is on the line tonight. . . John Gibson will start his fourth consecutive game. He is 11-2-0 with a 2.17 goals-against average, a 0.927 save percentage and two shutouts in 13 appearances since Dec. 2 vs. Boston. . . Detroit is sixth overall in the NHL standings. Coach Todd McLellan’s team is the only squad in the top 15 with a minus goal-differential. . . The Red Wings are 11-7-3 at road. . . Lucas Raymond has 13 multi-point games this season… Detroit is 19-1-1 this season when leading after 40 minutes. . . Detroit ranks sixth (24.8%) on the power play in the NHL this season and 15th in penalty-killing (80.2%). . . Injuries: None
Detroit Projected Lines
Alex DeBrincat — Andrew Copp — Patrick Kane
Marco Kasper — Dylan Larkin — Emmitt Finnie
James van Riemsdyk — J.T. Compher — Lucas Raymond
Elmer Soderblom — Michael Rasmussen — Mason Appleton
Defense Pairings
Simon Edvinsson — Moritz Seider
Ben Chiarot — Axel Sandin-Pellikka
Albert Johansson– Jacob Bernard-Docker
Subs: Travis Hamonic, Sheldon Dries
Goalies
John Gibson (Cam Talbot backing up)
Montreal Canadiens
Story: The Habs downed Detroit 5-1 on Opening Night in their only other meeting this season. . . Former Detroit player Joe Veleno (four points in 39 games) is Montreal’s fourth line center. . . Lane Hutson (44 points in 44 games is the NHL’s third-highest scoring defenseman. Injuries: Kirby Dach (broken foot), Alex Newhook (broken ankle), Kaiden Guhle (lower body), Patrik Laine (lower body), Jake Evans (lower body), Josh Anderson (upper body)
Line Projections
Cole Caufield — Nick Suzuki — Alexandre Texier
Juraj Slafkovsky — Oliver Kapanen — Ivan Demidov
Zack Bolduc — Phillip Danault — Brendan Gallagher
Sammy Blais — Joe Veleno — Owen Beck
Defense Pairings
Mike Matheson — Noah Dobson
Lane Hutson — Alexandre Carrier
Arbor Xhekaj — Kaiden Guhle
Goalies
Jacob Fowler (Jakub Dobes backing up)
If anyone still thinks the rookies are the reason for Detroit`s success, you are sadly mistaken. These kids are all struggling.
THEY ARE GETTING NHL EXPERINCE WHICH IS WHAT THEY MUST HAVE TO IN ORDER CONTRIBUTE. I GIVE CREDIT TO THE NEW COACH AND SOME BREAKS IN PLAYERS HEALTH AND SOME ROOKIE CONTRIBUTION AND OF COURSE BETTER GOALTENING FOR THE IMPROVEMENT.
ASP is not and Finnie is not. Where are they struggling? Kasper? Yes, but Nate was sent down already. What other “all” rookies are you talking about? And Nate does not really count and MBN really does not count as well.
Not sure what you are seeing.
Well Ken, I’m not saying that I agree with your post or that I disagree. One thing is certain is that the veterans took charge tonight against Montreal. Great game Boys.