The Detroit Red Wings are looking to make big moves during the 2026 NHL offseason that will get them back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. As of 2026, the Red Wings have the NHL’s longest playoff drought, so Detroit will have to make the playoffs next season. In fact, one NHL insider has labeled one of the NHL’s best free agents as a potential fit in Detroit.

The Athletic’s Max Bultmann named Seattle Kraken forward Bobby McMann as the free agent Detroit should sign this offseason. McMann, who was traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Kraken at the NHL trade deadline, scored 29 goals and 46 points in 78 games between the two organizations.

The 29-year-old forward would bring much-needed five-on-five attack to Detroit on a potentially big payday. However, who else did Bultmann suggest for the Red Wings?

Other potential NHL free agent targets for the Detroit Red Wings

While McMann was the top selection, Bultmann also suggested other players, including Buffalo Sabers forward Alex Tuch. The 30-year-old forward may be the top NHL free agent on the market, but will Buffalo really let him walk? Tuch has scored more than 30 goals in three of the last four seasons.

Meanwhile, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Mason Marchment was another option. Marchement doesn’t provide as much offense as Tuch or McMann, but he could be a cheaper option. However, if Detroit wants to add one of the top free agents, it will have to make a big move or go home.

This leads us to Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin. The Pittsburgh legend is nearing the end of his career, but he has become a Red Wings fan. Malkin can still score around 20 goals per season, and there’s a possibility he’ll get a hometown discount for his favorite team as he grows up.

At the end of the day, McMann, along with Tuch, appears to be one of the top options for Detroit. The latter will be a larger pickup; However, there are doubts that it will reach the market. In this case, McMann appears to be one of the top options left.

Either way, the Red Wings need to take a big step forward this offseason to make the 2027 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

READ MORE: Brady Tkachuk added to Florida Panthers? what will it actually take

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

Quinn Hughes and the Minnesota Wild were eliminated from the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs by the Colorado Avalanche. It was a disappointing end to a season that had high expectations after Hughes was traded to Minnesota. However, could this partnership prove to be one-and-done?

This seems like a possibility, so what exactly would Hughes have to do to land in Detroit? Here’s what needs to happen for the Detroit Red Wings.

Quinn Hughes to decline extension with Minnesota Wild

If Detroit wants any chance of landing Hughes during the 2026 NHL offseason, it starts with the defenseman’s intentions. After being traded to Minnesota, Hughes was not able to sign a contract extension as he is not eligible until July 1, 2026. However, what if the Wild are not able to complete a contract extension?

In a scenario where Hughes declines to sign with Minnesota, the organization would be encouraged to move him this offseason or at the 2027 NHL trade deadline. The Wild gave up a lot of asset to acquire the 26-year-old defenseman, so losing him in 2027 NHL free agency would be detrimental.

Therefore, it makes the most sense to trade Hughes during the offseason to get more value. More likely is Hughes to sign a contract extension with Minnesota, and an NHL insider recently predicted it would be a three-year deal. If not, it will allow Detroit to correct the mistake during the 2026-27 NHL season.

After all, NHL stars are hard to come by, and Detroit had the opportunity to acquire Hughes in December 2025.

Detroit Red Wings must complete an extension with Hughes

The Red Wings had the opportunity to trade for Hughes during the 2026–27 NHL season. The star defenseman is from Michigan and Detroit is one of his favorite places. However, the organization reportedly declined to acquire Hughes without a contract extension.

Allowing Hughes to go to Minnesota was a mistake when Detroit was more likely to be able to complete an extension this summer. If the Wild trade Hughes declines to sign a contract extension, the atmosphere surrounding a potential deal should be similar. The Red Wings would have to complete an extension with Hughes.

In December, the 26-year-old defenseman was not allowed to sign a contract extension, as he could not complete it until July. Now, Hughes will likely have to assure another team that he will re-sign to give up property. After all, a year of Hughes wouldn’t be worth “leaving the farm.”

Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman reportedly wanted a verbal extension in December, but this time will be different. If Hughes declines to sign a contract with Minnesota, it means he has his sights set on a specific organization. It could be Detroit or the New Jersey Devils, but Yzerman needs a commitment.

Hughes will likely sign an extension this summer, but if he doesn’t, the Red Wings should be in the mix once again.

READ MORE: Auston Matthews moved to Detroit Red Wings? what will it actually take

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

Auston Matthews and his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs could be the biggest story of the 2026 NHL offseason. After an extremely disappointing season, Matthews wants to see what the Maple Leafs can accomplish during the offseason before committing to another year. Therefore, there is a possibility that the Toronto superstar will request a trade this summer.

While it’s highly unlikely in reality, what exactly would Matthews have to do to land in Detroit? Here’s what needs to happen for the Detroit Red Wings.

Auston Matthews should request a trade with Detroit as destination

The chances of Matthews ending up in Detroit seem unlikely; However, there is one scenario where this could become reality. In a world where Matthews requests a trade from Toronto, he would have to be ready to play with the Red Wings. This is the first step for Detroit to acquire Matthews.

The 28-year-old center has a full no-movement clause in his contract, meaning he would have to approve any trade from Toronto. There have been several instances, including at the 2026 NHL trade deadline, where players refused to be traded. Most notably, this occurs when a player does not want to play in a specific city.

Matthews will likely have several places in mind when requesting a trade and it all depends on whether Detroit is on his list. If the Red Wings are not an organization Matthews wants to play for, that would eliminate any chances of the Maple Leafs acquiring the superstar.

It will be interesting to see if Matthews requests a trade from Toronto. The Maple Leafs recently won the 2026 NHL Draft lottery, earning the first pick in the draft in June. For now, that’s not enough for Matthews to commit to Toronto for the 2026-27 NHL season.

However, what if the Red Wings are on Matthews’ list? Removing him would require Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman to take an unprecedented step.

Detroit Red Wings to trade Farm for Auston Matthews

In a scenario where Matthews requests a trade and is willing to play in Detroit, the Red Wings would have to trade Farm. That doesn’t mean the Red Wings have to trade every draft pick and prospect in their system. However, the organization may not be worried about Matthews not signing an extension.

In December 2025, Detroit was one of the teams in the mix for defenseman Quinn Hughes. Although the acquisition of Hughes would have been surprising for Detroit, the team reportedly did not want to pursue a deal without an extension. Therefore, the Red Wings no longer had a de facto player for the Minnesota Wild defenseman.

As for Matthews, Yzerman would have to send his prized possession to Toronto. It’s very difficult to acquire superstars in the NHL, and Matthews would change the direction of the team in a big way. If the Red Wings have full confidence in Matthews, they should not delay in signing him to the organization.

The Red Wings have not made many major changes during Yzerman’s tenure as general manager, with the most notable contribution being Alex DeBrincat. However, it appears that Detroit is eyeing a big move during the 2026 NHL offseason that will put them in playoff contention.

Matthews could become the biggest prize of the 2026 NHL offseason, and if everything aligns perfectly, the Red Wings will have to pounce on the opportunity.

READ MORE: Detroit Red Wings expected to make blockbuster trade in 2026 NHL offseason

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

Connor McDavid is coming off a disappointing loss to the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs. People are talking about the possibility of McDavid leaving Edmonton after the loss to the Anaheim Ducks. So, would Detroit make sense as a potential landing spot for the Red Wings superstar center?

While it’s highly unlikely in reality, what exactly would McDavid have to do to land in Detroit? This is what needs to happen for the Red Wings.

The Detroit Red Wings need to have a very strong 2026-27 NHL season

It is highly unlikely that McDavid will request a trade from Edmonton before even playing a season on his new two-year contract extension. Therefore, a trade during the 2027 NHL offseason will likely become more likely. The 29-year-old star will have one year left on his contract and Edmonton will have to make a difficult decision if re-signing seems like a long shot.

In this scenario, Detroit would have to perform at a high level during the 2026–27 NHL season. As of right now, it’s a long shot that McDavid will want to play with the Red Wings. The organization has the longest playoff drought in the NHL, and McDavid looks to compete for the Stanley Cup in 2024 and 2025 after falling short.

The Edmonton center is unhappy with being eliminated in the first round, so Detroit would not be a viable destination. Therefore, the Red Wings need to put themselves back in a position where superstar players will want to join the team. Right now, Detroit doesn’t have the same appeal as other organizations.

This is the first step in a mission to do business for McDavid. Even if the Red Wings can make a Buffalo Sabres-style jump during the 2026-27 NHL season, McDavid will have to work his way out of becoming a Red Wing.

Connor McDavid must request trade with Detroit as destination

The most important move for the Red Wings is McDavid requesting a trade from the Oilers. It would be almost impossible for Edmonton to trade McDavid without demands or the realization that he won’t be around for long. If McDavid requests a trade or expresses a desire to leave, the Red Wings should be one of the preferred destinations.

It has to do with Detroit becoming an attractive landing spot. All of this becomes irrelevant if the Red Wings miss the 2027 Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, if Detroit can massively improve and become a contender, all of this will change. At that point, McDavid may have more desire to play in Detroit.

Even in this scenario, Detroit wouldn’t be the only team that wants McDavid on their roster. Other organizations will be pushing to acquire the 29-year-old superstar, leading to a bidding war for his services. After all, the same bidding war happened when the Minnesota Wild acquired Quinn Hughes.

The Red Wings did not want to pull the trigger without a long-term contract extension, and they failed to land Hughes. In a scenario where Detroit improves into a Stanley Cup contender, and McDavid requests a trade, the organization would likely need a similar commitment.

Connor McDavid is unlikely to join the Red Wings during his NHL career. However, if all of these scenarios occur, it gives Detroit a chance to land one of the NHL’s biggest superstars.

READ MORE: Detroit Red Wings expected to make blockbuster trade in 2026 NHL offseason

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

The Detroit Red Wings need to make a big splash during the 2026 NHL offseason. Following the 2025–26 NHL season, Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman stated that the organization needed better players to make the Stanley Cup playoffs. Now, a prominent NHL insider is throwing more gas on the fire for Detroit.

If the Red Wings don’t make a big trade or move this summer, people will be “surprised,” as Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports on the 32 Thoughts Podcast. This has been one of the most talked about aspects of Detroit’s offseason and all signs point towards a trade or signing for an elite offensive forward.

Who could the Detroit Red Wings trade for during the 2026 offseason?

The Red Wings are expected to make a major trade during the 2026 NHL offseason and top six forwards should be the first priority. Yzerman said there were issues with five-on-five play and goal scoring during the 2025–26 NHL season, so a physical, high-profile offensive player would be the best fit. There are some names which are different from the rest.

If Detroit is looking to land a big move, they should try to acquire Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk or Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews. These may be hypotheticals, but if any of these guys are actually involved in trade rumors this summer, the organization should run. If not, Detroit has other options it can consider in the trade market.

Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson would be a perfect fit. Robertson is an incredible offensive player, currently having 49 goals between the regular season and playoffs. The situation in Dallas is tough and the star forward is due to get a new contract after the season.

The Stars will have Robertson’s rights as a restricted free agent, so it would be wise to extract value if the organization doesn’t have room for him long-term. The Red Wings have the space and assets to do that and Robertson would be a great addition.

If not, there are other players still on the market, like Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson and St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas. While neither of them are at the same height as Tkachuk, Matthews or Robertson, they would provide a much-needed boost to Detroit’s offense.

The NHL would be surprised if the Red Wings fail to make a blockbuster move, so that should give them a reason to feel that way.

READ MORE: Detroit Red Wings rumors – Olympic goaltender linked in trade talks

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

Eight days into his tenure with the New Jersey Devils, the real work has begun for new general manager Sunny Mehta.

Mehta has a long list of items to address this offseason, and when you think about it, he doesn’t have two months to prepare between now and the 2026 NHL Draft.

There are a lot of important questions that need to be answered if New Jersey is going to reach the tipping point Mehta believes they will. More information on the above questions is given in the link below.

Elsewhere, Detroit is having a fire sale? Buffalo charges, and Pittsburgh is backed into a corner.

Devil’s Trade Rumors and News

New Jersey Hockey Now: There is no exaggeration in the fact that this offseason could be one of the most important in franchise history. Sunny Mehta has outlined his work with his newly inherited team. Here are eight key questions regarding an important offseason for New Jersey.

📺 devil’s rink report: So, what priorities will Mehta face as he steps into his new role as general manager in New Jersey? We break it down in the latest Devils Rink report.

Full episode here 👇🏼

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NHL Trade Talk, News and National Hockey Now

Buffalo hockey now: Josh Norris couldn’t get any break. The Buffalo Sabers forward missed Game 3 due to injury, while their exciting rookie returned to the lineup.

Forever Blueshirts: The New York Rangers rookie explains that it’s easier to get into the NHL than it is to stay in the NHL. Jim Cerny explains that he should accept the challenge.

Athletic ($): Connor McDavid avoided the worst with a potential injury. However, so far, the Anaheim Ducks have kept him off the scoresheet. Chris Johnston says now comes an even bigger question.

Pittsburgh hockey now: The Pittsburgh Penguins are on the brink of elimination and their backs are against the wall. Trailing 3-0 in Game 4, one of their key players knows what it’s like to overcome that hurdle.

Detroit hockey now: Is there a Devil’s Trade partner available? Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman says no one is untouchable.

Montreal hockey now: Mark Dumont breaks down which Montreal Canadiens forwards are performing well in the playoffs and which defensemen need to step up.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

This wasn’t how the Dallas Wings wanted their new star’s first media introduction.

The Wings introduced their 2026 No. 1 overall draft pick, Azzi Fudd, in a press conference on Thursday, marking his official arrival as a professional player. The former UConn star joins the franchise that selected her college teammate Paige Bueckers with the top pick in the 2025 draft.

The two players, who first met while competing for the Huskies, now form a highly anticipated backcourt duo in Dallas.

During the session, a reporter dallas morning news A question from Fudd asked whether she and Bueckers would remain in a romantic relationship — which Bueckers publicly acknowledged on social media last year — and whether the pair had consulted with other WNBA couples about navigating the unique dynamics of being both teammates and partners.

Before Fudd could respond, a member of Wings’ public relations staff quickly intervened.

“I understand why you have to ask this question, but we respectfully decline to comment on the personal lives of our players,” the person said.

This moment created an immediate sense of unease in the room, as the team chose to treat the questioning as out of bounds. Fudd’s expression remained largely unchanged during the conversation and the press conference continued without further discussion of the topic.

Well, his expression was mostly Unchanged. At one point, you can actually see Fudd’s eyebrows furrowed as if he was surprised and confused as to why the team wouldn’t let him answer the question. To keep an eye …

A reporter asked Ezy Fudd about his relationship with Paige Bueckers, but the Wings’ media team said they would not comment on their players’ personal lives. pic.twitter.com/iH3enGfoVE

– The Sporting News (@sportingnews) 16 April 2026

This goes back to my previous claim that it is the team that is trying to eliminate the relationship aspect, because they don’t want to be accused of acting like the Lakers, and drafting someone based on trying to please their star.

Veteran sports journalist Jeff Pearlman recently accused the league of pressuring reporters to ignore or downplay the long-standing romantic relationship between Fudd and Bueckers, calling it “the number one piece of this story.”

Pearlman argued that the Wings had essentially set up Fudd to reunite him with his fellow Bueckers on the court – and in life – but said it was the league itself that was trying to stay away from the obvious.

He said, “Ezzie Fudd and Paige Bueckers are in a long-term relationship, and no one is mentioning it. And the WNBA has apparently asked people not to mention it. And that’s very confusing to me journalistically.”

“Like, it’s fascinating that these two guys who have been dating for a long time, dating since college, would be the starting backcourt for a team. To me, that’s really the number one piece of this story. It’s not that they drafted AZ Fudd, they drafted AZ Fudd to play with his longtime teammate, Paige Bueckers.”

The fact that the Wings went out of their way to shut this down should inspire good sports journalists — if there are any left — to keep the pressure on this matter.

Fans have a right to know whether their team selected someone in the draft based on their personal relationships, not whether they were actually worthy of being selected number one.

Rusty Weis is a lifelong fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Dallas Cowboys and Xavier Musketeers. He has been writing professionally… More about Rusty Weiss

The Detroit Red Wings need to make a move during the 2026 NHL offseason. After a late-season collapse, the Red Wings fell from leading the Eastern Conference to falling out of playoff contention. However, could Detroit consider making a blockbuster trade during the 2026 NHL offseason?

It looks like the Red Wings could make a move using several of their young assets in a trade package this summer, as David Pagnotta reports on DFO Rundown. Pagnoto said it could be similar to when the Montreal Canadiens acquired defenseman Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders.

If so, where should Detroit target in a potential blockbuster trade?

What position should the Detroit Red Wings target in a trade?

The Red Wings had several weaknesses to close the 2025–26 NHL season. Detroit lacked scoring in five of five games and did not perform as expected in the bottom six. So, it’s pretty clear that the Red Wings need scoring. Whether it’s from a defenseman or a forward, Detroit needs to find one this summer.

Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman had the opportunity to acquire defenseman Quinn Hughes in December 2025, but decided not to do so without an extension. It came back to haunt Detroit. However, what if the Minnesota Wild knew Hughes would not be moving on? Although unlikely, it could open the door again.

More than likely, the Minnesota star will not be on the table this offseason. The Red Wings would love to have Hughes lead the offense and defense with Mo Cider, but that doesn’t seem realistic right now. Therefore, the focus should be on acquiring an elite forward who can lead the team offensively.

There are some options. Obviously, Auston Matthews would be a valuable asset if he demands a trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs. What happens to Brady Tkachuk if he does the same with the Ottawa Senators? Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson would also be an excellent addition.

These are top choices, so they may not be that realistic. However, Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson and St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas should also be on the trade block. Needless to say, Detroit has plenty of options on the table, even if it isn’t a true NHL superstar like Matthews or Tkachuk.

The Red Wings could be the top team to watch during the 2026 NHL offseason. If so, the roster could look quite different this summer.

READ MORE: Detroit Red Wings front office drama – Are big changes coming?

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work may also…More about Austin Konensky

The Detroit Red Wings’ season is over. On Wednesday night, Detroit was defeated by the Florida Panthers by a score of 8–1, finishing the season with 92 points. Despite a late-season collapse, the Red Wings finished the campaign with the most points since making the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs (93 points).

This was shaping up to be a special season for the Red Wings. On January 25, the organization awoke to the leadership of the Eastern Conference. It didn’t last long, as Detroit struggled to win down the stretch. It was a historic collapse that raises many questions heading into the 2026 NHL offseason.

However, there were some surprising developments for the Red Wings this year. Alex DeBrincat scored 40 goals for the third time in his career. In fact, Detroit had not seen a 40-goal scorer since Marian Hossa during the 2008–09 season. DeBrincat was sensational after a slow start.

Meanwhile, Mo Sider emerged as arguably the best defenseman in the NHL. Seider’s defensive rating was the highest of any NHL defenseman contending for the Norris Trophy. The 25-year-old was also spectacular offensively, becoming the first Detroit defenseman to reach 50 assists in a season since Nicklas Lidstrom in 2008–09.

Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin also earned an Olympic gold medal after the United States defeated Canada in the gold medal game. While Larkin and Detroit were not able to reach the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, several personal accomplishments were still achieved.

The Red Wings hope their star player gets even better during the 2026-27 NHL season. With some new additions, Detroit hopes to return to the Stanley Cup playoffs next season after a poor showing in 2026.

READ MORE: Detroit Red Wings front office drama – Are big changes coming?

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work may also…More about Austin Konensky

The Detroit Red Wings have some big decisions to make ahead of the 2026 NHL offseason. Despite scoring the most points (92) in a season since 2016, the Red Wings will not participate in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This comes after a historic decline since January, and an NHL insider has the latest information on whether big changes are coming.

There are no expected changes in terms of what the Red Wings front office looks like at this time, as The Athletic’s Chris Johnston reported on the Chris Johnston Show. This also includes Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman, who has been in NHL rumors for the past few weeks.

Will the Detroit Red Wings make the right decision by keeping Steve Yzerman?

It’s fair to wonder if the Red Wings might be making the right decision by keeping Yzerman. On one hand, it was Detroit’s best season in 10 years since making the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Red Wings, on the other hand, suffered a massive collapse late in the season and were in jeopardy of the playoffs again.

The Red Wings roster and coaching staff were put together by Yzerman. Detroit head coach Todd McClellan was a great guy and the team is lucky to have him. Meanwhile, Mo Sider is arguably the best defenseman in the NHL while Alex DeBrincat has scored 40 goals. The franchise had not seen a 40-goal scorer since Marian Hossa during the 2008–09 season.

However, there are other flaws that should have been addressed. The Red Wings had very little production from their bottom six and the offense struggled to score in five-on-five play. The two were known prior to the NHL trade deadline, where Yzerman acquired defenseman Justin Faulk and forward David Perron.

Getting to this point has been a slow and heartbreaking process, but Detroit has fallen behind three seasons in a row. The Red Wings have the longest playoff drought in the NHL. Unfortunately, the franchise did not have good luck with its playoff position. This is the 13th-best record entering the regular season finale, when 16 teams advance to the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Yzerman has improved the Red Wings over the years, but a late-season slump has ruined the story. As of right now, it doesn’t look like there are going to be any major changes for the front office in Detroit. It’s not a bad decision, but it does mean Yzerman needs to make positive changes this summer.

What should the Detroit Red Wings change outside the front office

The Red Wings need to find the best way to move forward. Detroit has a group of veterans as well as young prospects who haven’t produced as expected. Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin is aging while Cedar and Lucas Raymond are coming into their own. Simply put, there are two directions for Detroit.

The organization needs to put their faith in young players and “throw them into the fire” or use their assets to acquire a specific player. Detroit is in desperate need of an elite offensive forward like Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk. It also needs another center to take the pressure off Larkin.

From the top six to the bottom six, there are changes that could optimize the offense. The lower six did not provide much in detail and depth of building had to be prioritized. This could come from NHL free agency or trusting young players to perform at the top level.

The defensive lines seem to be quite organized, with most of the focus being on offensive production. The best decision would be to acquire an elite first line forward. Also, the team should put more emphasis on the bottom six players along with other young players in hopes that they can start performing as expected.

The Red Wings may not have much in-house front office drama, but they will need to address the flaws on this roster. It’s time for a concentrated effort to get Detroit back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

READ MORE: Detroit Red Wings out of playoff race after collapse

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

Well friends, it’s official: the Ottawa Senators are headed to the playoffs! On January 24, they finished in last place in the Atlantic Division and second in the Eastern Conference. At the time, the Detroit Red Wings led the Atlantic and were tied for most points in the East. There was a difference of 16 points between the two teams.

Now, with the Sens up by five points on the Wings, Detroit is officially out of the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season. As much as this story is about the Senators’ dominance over the last two and a half months, the Red Wings’ downfall deserves to be discussed as much. Let’s get into the details.

Read more: It’s time for Jordan Spence to extend

Ottawa Senators by the numbers

The Senators’ 4–1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on January 24 left them in sole possession of 15th place in the Eastern Conference. That’s when his season changed. have a look:

• first 51 games: 23-21-7, 3.22 goals/game, 3.39 goals against/game, 22.9 PP%, 71.8 PK%
• last 29 games: 20-6-3, 3.62 goals/game, 2.31 goals against/game, 24.4 PP%, 83.6 PK%

Let’s break down these numbers among all the NHL teams:

• first 51 games: 25th in points %, 12th in goals/game, 28th in goals against/game, 10th in PP%, 31st in PK%.
• last 29 games:T-1st in points %, 4th in goals/game, 1st in goals against/game, 10th in PP%, 5th in PK%.

Obviously, it was a change of the entire team. Sure, his goalscoring and power play were solid in the first 51 games, but those numbers have reached even greater heights since then. Goal prevention is where the Senators have improved even more dramatically. A lot of it has to do with their goal setting. To keep an eye:

• first 51 games: .865 Team SV% (32nd in the NHL)
• last 29 games: .900 Team SV% (7th in the NHL)

The .865 SV% paced the Senators for the lowest team SV% in the NHL since the 1993–94 Ottawa Senators. Keep in mind, that was the Senators’ second year of existence. Individually, Linus Ullmark went from .881 SV% to .904 SV%. They have 14 wins since returning from their leave of absence on January 31 for the league lead.

Detroit Red Wings by the numbers

Now for the fall part of the equation. The Red Wings defeated the Winnipeg Jets 5–1 on January 24 to tie the Carolina Hurricanes for most points in the East. Sure, the Red Wings played an extra game, but they were undoubtedly in a great spot to end their long playoff drought. Well, so much for that! Let’s take a look at the figures:

• first 53 games: 32-16-5, 3.11 goals/game, 2.96 goals against/game, 24.7 PP%, 79.3 PK%
• last 27 games: 9-14-4, 2.59 goals/game, 3.15 goals against/game, 19.7 PP%, 73.5 PK%

And now for a league-wide comparison of those numbers:

• first 53 games: 4th in points %, 17th in goals/game, 13th in goals against/game, 6th in PP%, 18th in PK%.
• last 27 games: 28th in points %, 30th in goals/game, 22nd in goals against/game, 22nd in PP%, 27th in PK%.

This is the exact opposite of the senators. They lagged behind in virtually every category. Clearly they relied too heavily on their power play, which held back just like every other part of their game. The Red Wings didn’t just become a mediocre team, they became one of the worst teams in the NHL. Keep in mind, they were buyers on deadline. Here’s what their deadline acquisition did for them:

• Justin Faulk: 15 games, 4 goals, 6 points, -3, 20:16 time on ice/game
• david perron: 14 games, 2 goals, 2 points, -9, 13:42 ice time/game

The Senators were the ones who traded Perón to the Red Wings. He was replaced by Warren Foegele, who scored 5 goals and 7 points in 19 games with Ottawa. It certainly wasn’t just Faulk and Perron who caused Detroit’s decline. For example, Lucas Raymond had a dramatic fall. He scored 58 points in his first 51 games, but has scored only 18 points in his last 27 games.

defining game

Let’s go back to March 24. The Senators were in Detroit to face a Red Wings team that was one point ahead of them. These were the problems:

• They were playing for the second straight night, having played against the Rangers in New York the night before.
• They were without Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot and Nick Jensen on defense.
• The Red Wings had won all three meetings up to that point in the season.

Any back-to-back is tough, but playing both games on the road in two different cities, as well as missing both Chabot and Sanderson, made this feel like a scheduled defeat for the Senators. Additionally, depth D-men Dennis Gilbert and Lassie Thomson were out, forcing the Sens to call up forwards Jorian Donovan and Carter Yakemchuk to play their first career games.

outcome? The Senators’ incredible 3–2 win moved them ahead of the Red Wings in the standings for the first time since December 5. The Senators never let the Red Wings pass after that. The Red Wings suffered several tough losses in a row to keep them out of the playoffs, but considering the circumstances, this was the worst.

final thoughts

There came a time when it felt like none of the teams fighting for the last few playoff spots in the East were going to lose completely. Of course, the Red Wings were the exception. They lost 8 of their last 11 and 18 of their last 27 and found themselves out of the playoff picture.

Meanwhile, the senators never gave up. They played 20 games without Brady Tkachuk early in the season. He endured nearly 50 games of terrible goaltending. Linus Ullmark took a partial leave of absence during the year. Jake Sanderson missed 13 games. After the Olympic break, they used 12 defensemen. In the end, their resilience has been rewarded with a second consecutive trip to the playoffs.

These two teams have shown a lot of disdain for each other over the past few years as they have tried to work their way back to contender status. Obviously, senators have the upper hand. Meanwhile, the Red Wings must figure out what to do next after a terrible collapse that saw them miss the playoffs once again.

Danny was born and raised in Ottawa and still lives in that city. He has followed… more about Danny McCloskey

Just days after being officially eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs, the New Jersey Devils played spoiler on Saturday.

The Devils scored three third period goals and eliminated the Detroit Red Wings from postseason contention with a 5–3 victory at Little Caesars Arena.

Jesper Bratt had two goals and an assist, and Jack Hughes had a goal and an assist. The Devils snapped a two-game losing streak, taking the season series 2–1 from the Wings and winning for the ninth time in their last 15 games.

Devils rally to defeat Detroit Red Wings on Saturday

The Wings entered the game desperate, hoping to keep their playoff hopes alive. Detroit recorded the game’s first 10 shots on goal, the last of which was Justin Faulk’s 15th goal of the season to put the Wings up 1–0 at 9:41 of the first.

Less than a minute after Hughes’ goal, on the Devils’ first shot on goal, both tied the score and helped the Devils find their game. Nevertheless, the Devils were 13 minutes away from their third consecutive loss after Detroit forward Emmitt Finney scored his 13th goal of the season on a rebound at 7:00 of the final frame.

“He definitely had a lot to play for,” Bratt said. “They had to go for it and win.”

Still, Cody Glass added to his career year by scoring a spectacular goal, his 19th, at 11:18. Bratt then executed a perfect two-on-one off a turnover created by Hughes, and his 22nd of the year with just 3:34 left in regulation to give the Devils a 4–3 lead.

“We were just patient and waiting for them to make mistakes,” Bratt said. “We just took advantage of it to a certain extent.”

With Detroit’s season at stake – with a win it could have kept pace with the Ottawa Senators, who had defeated the New York Islanders earlier in the day – the Devils outscored them 12–7 in the final frame. New Jersey sealed its 41st win on an empty net goal by Dawson Mercer.

“I’m very proud of the group right now,” Bratt said. “I thought we played very well, a very solid road game.”

The second period was dominated by devils

Devils coach Sheldon Keefe attributed their early game struggles to Dougie Hamilton’s first-period tripping penalty, which “caught us off guard.” But after surviving that and Detroit’s early pressure, the Devils dominated the second period.

The Devils outshot the Red Wings 13–8 in the second and took the second-period shot-attempt count 33–13. According to Natural Stat Trick, New Jersey had a total expected goals total of 1.72 in the second period, and recorded 21 scoring chances and nine high-danger chances.

“I really liked our game today,” Keefe said. “It took us a while to get going on offense… Once we learned how to cook, I thought we were pretty good the rest of the way.

“Key second period, which is what we were looking for.”

The Devils nearly trailed 2–1 heading into the third, as David Perron gave the Red Wings the lead with his 12th goal of the season at 11:59. But Bratt’s sight-seeing shot from the high slot beat Gibson and gave the Devils the rare puck luck they had sorely lacked all year.

Keefe said, “We weren’t necessarily rewarded. It took a while.” “[The Devils’ play] “Probably got some mileage out of their top defenseman in that second period, which probably worked to our advantage later in the game.”

Jake Allen was solid in goal

Faulk’s goal was a stoppable shot, but Devils goaltender Jake Allen was difficult to stop when he was under for most of the first period.

Allen made 25 saves, 12 of which came in the first period where he allowed one goal but according to Natural Stat Trick, the Red Wings had a 1.91 expected goals against. The Wings finished with 3.78 xG, and Allen blocked six of seven high-danger shots (.857 save%) while outscoring Gibson at the other end.

Allen will likely start the Devils’ season finale at Boston on Tuesday, as Nico Douse will start Sunday against Ottawa and No. 1 goaltender Jacob Markstrom was shut down on Friday. He has been playing well all season long and has improved his numbers to 17-17-2 with a .904 save% and 2.74 GAA this season.

Pat Pickens is an award-winning sports writer and author who has covered the NHL since 2013. He reveals more about Pat Pickens.

The Detroit Red Wings took care of business on Thursday night. Dylan Larkin scored a hat-trick as the Red Wings easily defeated the Philadelphia Flyers by a score of 6-3. Detroit scored two crucial points; However, the organization did not receive much help outside the city.

The Ottawa Senators defeated the Florida Panthers, moving them three points above the Red Wings with three games remaining. Time is ticking for Detroit and it must hope for outside help. For now, an NHL team will have to focus on what it can control.

Detroit Red Wings must keep winning to stay in playoff contention

The plan moving forward is simple. The Red Wings will need to keep winning if they want to make the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. With three games left, the Red Wings need to lose two of their three remaining games to the Senators. Detroit must win at all costs, starting with the New Jersey Devils on Saturday evening.

Since Ottawa has the tiebreaker, it must have lost two games in regulation while Detroit has won all three games against the Devils, Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning. It’s a relatively easy schedule for the Red Wings, with the key matchup coming against the Lightning on Monday, April 13.

The issue is within the senators. In the next three matches, the team will play the Devils, New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs. That means Ottawa would have to lose to either New York and New Jersey or Toronto. This isn’t a great situation for Detroit, so his focus may be on the Boston Bruins.

Although unlikely, if the Bruins lose their last three games in regulation, the Red Wings could overtake them if they win. Boston plays Tampa Bay, New Jersey and the Columbus Blue Jackets. If the Bruins lose all three games but lose one game in overtime, Detroit can still overtake them if it wins two more games in regulation.

More than likely, the Senators will remain a target for the Red Wings. The Bruins are possible, but it would lead to a major collapse. Granted, Boston has lost its last four games, so there is something to be expected. However, it could all be over if the Red Wings don’t win.

If Detroit loses to New Jersey on Saturday while Ottawa beats New York, it could be out of playoff contention. In other words, every game moving forward is a must-win situation for the Red Wings. The team has a favorable schedule, so if it takes care of business against the Devils and Panthers, the Lightning will be a big challenge.

The Red Wings just have to keep winning. At this point, there is no margin for error.

Read More: Detroit Red Wings Fall 2026 – Why Big Changes Are Needed

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky

The Detroit Red Wings are collapsing. After another strong start to the NHL season, Detroit is out of the Stanley Cup playoffs with five games remaining. The Red Wings are two points behind the Ottawa Senators and their Stanley Cup playoff hopes are fading fast.

As of Monday, April 6, Detroit has a record of 4–6–0 in the last 10 games, with only one win in the last five games. In a 4–1 loss against the Minnesota Wild on Easter Sunday, the Red Wings equalized in the third period. Then, Red Wings forward Patrick Kane committed an selfish penalty, leading to a Minnesota power play goal.

After the Senators defeated the Carolina Hurricanes, Detroit is now two points out of the wild card picture without a tiebreaker. Now, the Red Wings need to win at least four of their next five games to make the Stanley Cup playoffs

Detroit Red Wings playoff approach, five games left in 2026

There’s an important week of NHL games coming up in Detroit. The Red Wings will need to win at least four games to overtake the Senators. Since Ottawa has the tiebreaker, Detroit needs to earn three more points over the organization in the next five games.

The Red Wings play the Columbus Blue Jackets, Philadelphia Flyers, New Jersey Devils, Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers to conclude the regular season. Detroit needs to win games against non-playoff teams, New Jersey and Florida, while looking to win two of three against Columbus, Philadelphia and Tampa Bay.

The biggest issue for the Red Wings is the remaining schedule for the Senators. Ottawa plays New Jersey, Florida, Tampa, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New York Islanders. Currently four out of five teams are not in the playoffs. Granted, New York is also on the playoff bubble.

If the Senators win four of their next five games, they will advance to the playoffs, even if the Red Wings win all five games. This means Detroit does not need Ottawa to win more than three games if the team can consistently move up in the standings. However, this is only the senators’ angle.

The Red Wings will need to get past the Blue Jackets, possibly needing a win on Tuesday night. Detroit also needs to overcome the Islanders, who have a point in an additional matchup. However, Detroit has lost four of its last five games, and its record since the Olympic break is 8-9-3. The goaltending is sluggish while the offensive team is struggling to score in five-on-five play.

Time is running out, and if the Red Wings don’t turn the clock around on Tuesday night, their season will end in five games.

READ MORE: Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman will be on the hot seat if the team misses the NHL playoffs

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky

The Detroit Red Wings need to start winning games. After losing in heartbreaking fashion to the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators, Detroit is one point out of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs with 11 games remaining in the regular season. Despite scoring 84 points through 71 games, the Red Wings need more.

Last season, the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference was earned by the Montreal Canadiens. The organization scored 91 points in 82 games, leading the Stanley Cup playoffs by double digits. The Eastern Conference is on fire during the 2025-26 NHL season, and Detroit has to join the party.

The Red Wings have a record of 3-5-2 in their last 10 games. If Detroit repeats this over the next 11 games, it will finish with around 92–94 points, which likely won’t be enough to make the Stanley Cup playoffs. So, what challenges do the Red Wings face over the next 11 games?

Honestly, the schedule is in Detroit’s favor, but they need to take advantage of the time ahead.

Detroit Red Wings playoff outlook, remaining schedule in 2026

The Red Wings have the 10th toughest remaining schedule in the NHL, with six of their 11 games against teams outside the playoffs. Detroit has not fared well in games against the Buffalo Sabres, Minnesota Wild and Tampa Bay Lightning; However, other bubble teams have much worse schedules.

As of Thursday, March 26, the New York Islanders, Columbus Blue Jackets, Bruins and Senators have the top-4 toughest remaining schedules in the NHL. Ironically, all four teams are battling the Red Wings for the two wild card spots in the Eastern Conference. This is a great situation for Detroit.

Despite the 10th-toughest schedule, the Red Wings have a favorable draw with other teams. Boston is scheduled to play the Dallas Stars, Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota, Columbus and Tampa Bay twice. Meanwhile, New York has to play Dallas, Buffalo, Montreal, Ottawa and Carolina twice.

Ottawa also has a tough schedule with Carolina, Buffalo, Minnesota, New York and Tampa Bay. Ultimately, Columbus was assigned to Buffalo, Detroit, Carolina twice, Boston twice, and Montreal twice. Needless to say, the Red Wings have a more realistic path to the Stanley Cup playoffs than other teams in the Eastern Conference.

If the Red Wings can win two of their remaining three games against the Philadelphia Flyers, they will be in a great position to advance. However, Detroit will have to take advantage of their games against the New York Rangers, Florida Panthers and New Jersey Devils.

As of now, MoneyPak has the Red Wings having a 42.4% chance of making the Stanley Cup playoffs; However, their chances seem high. Detroit should be able to control its own destiny unless other teams end up on scorched earth to end the season.

If the Red Wings want to end a nine-year playoff drought, they will have to earn it in the next 11 games.

READ MORE: Detroit Red Wings almost got a different defenseman at the trade deadline

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky

So, it’s really all or nothing for the New Jersey Devils this season.

They look very impressive when they win. When they are defeated, they lay an egg. And that’s what happened Sunday night as the Motor City goaltenders hosted the Detroit Red Wings in a combined shutout.

The Devils played particularly well for 40 minutes. In fact, he put two on the sticks of Connor Brown and Lenny Haminaho.

However, their luck didn’t change and Jacob Markstrom’s second start of the weekend snapped the Devils’ four-game winning streak.

It was a good start for the Devils, who controlled the tempo of the game for the first three and a half minutes of play, and put good pressure on Red Wings goaltender John Gibson early.

However, the Red Wings took an early 1–0 lead when Markstrom was checked by traffic and found twine on the wrist of Moritz Seider from the point.

Regardless of the score, the Devils controlled the pace of the game for the remainder of the first period, but could not solve Gibson before the first intermission.

The same thing happened in the second period as New Jersey maintained control of the game despite falling behind on the scoreboard.

Detroit doubled its lead at the 6:37 mark of the second period after James van Riemsdyk gave the Red Wings a 2–0 lead after Markstrom redirected Seider’s shot from the blueline.

A fast-paced game came to a head when Brendan Dillon combined with Andrew Copp to push the Red Wings forward. Dillon was called for a two-minute intervention after several scuffles broke out between whistles.

However, the Devils coughed up the minor penalty.

When the Devils and Red Wings emerged from their respective locker rooms after the second intermission, Detroit made a goal-tending change. Gibson remained in the Detroit locker room, while Cam Talbot took the net in relief.

And then the Red Wings took over.

The Devils could not keep up with Detroit, who took control of the game not only on the scoreboard, but on the ice as well.

Dominic Shine scored his first NHL goal by tapping Van Riemsdyk’s cross ice pass past Markstrom to increase the Red Wings’ lead to 3–0 and seal the victory for Detroit.

Markstrom made 27 saves on 30 shots and suffered his 15th loss of the season.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

But can they make it five in a row?

The New Jersey Devils (32-29-2) host the Detroit Red Wings (35-21-7) in another back-to-back appearance this month. Earlier in the week, the Devils defeated the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs on consecutive nights.

Last night, they defeated their cross-town rival, the New York Rangers.

Now, the Dylan Larkin-less Red Wings come to Newark to see if they can stop the Devils’ four-game winning streak.

Let’s dive into tonight’s matchup.

What to Know vs. Red Wings

—Jersey is 21-5-1 when scoring first this season.

-New Jersey is having its best offensive performance this season, scoring six goals in a game for the first time this year.

-New Jersey extended its winning streak to four matches. The last time the Devils recorded a four-game winning streak was when the team recorded an eight-game winning streak from October 11, 2025, through October 26.

—Dawson Mercer recorded his 200th career point with his goal against the Rangers, while Luke Hughes’ assist on the goal was his 100th assist.

2025-26 vs Red Wings

11/24/25 W 4-3 vs Prudential Center

3/8/26 7:00 PM ET Prudential Center

4/11/26 5:00 PM ET Little Caesars Arena

Devils vs Red Wings

All-time record: 78-68-18

All-time home record: 45-30-9

All-time road record: 33-38-9

Projected Devils Lineup*

Ahead

Timo Meyer – Nico Hischier – Dawson Mercer

Arseny Gritsyuk – Jack Hughes – Connor Brown

Jasper Bratt – Cody Glass – Lenny Haminaho

Paul Couture – Nick Bjugstad – Maxim Tsyplyakov

defenseman

Jonas Seigenthaler – Dougie Hamilton

Luke Hughes – Jonathan Kovacevic

Brendan Dillon – Simon Nemec

goaltender

jake allen

jacob markstrom

*Lineup is subject to change

Current Injuries: Jack McEwen (upper body, out for the season)

2025-26 Total man-games lost: 269

Projected Red Wings Lineup*

Ahead

Alex DeBrincat – Andrew Copp – Patrick Kane

Emmitt Finn – Marco Casper – Lucas Raymond

Mason Appleton – JT Comper – Michael Brandsegg-Nygaard

James Van Riemsdyk – Michael Rasmussen – Dominic Shine

defenseman

Simon Edvinsson – Moritz Seider

Ben Rath – Justin Faulk

Albert Johansson – Axel Sandin-Pellica

goaltender

john gibson

cameron talbot

*Lineup is subject to change

How to watch the Devils game – 4:00 PM ET

Watch: espn

radio: devils hockey net

next up

Thu, Mar 12 vs CGY 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 14 vs LAK 7:00 PMET
Monday, March 16th BOS 7:00 PM

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

David Perrone is going back to Detroit. After parts of two seasons with the Senators, the Red Wings are bringing back the 37-year-old veteran, who played in Detroit for two seasons in 2022-23 and 2023-24. The hope is that Perron can work his way back to health and help the Red Wings on their playoff journey. As far as the Senators are concerned, the trade would give them a conditional fourth-round selection. Let’s get into the details.

READ MORE: Senators acquire Warren Foegele from Kings

Peron’s time with senators

When Perron signed a two-year deal worth $4 million per season in the summer of 2024, expectations were high. He was coming off a 17 goal, 47 point season with the Red Wings and was a veteran of over 1100 games. He also had a Stanley Cup on his resume during his time with the St. Louis Blues. Unfortunately, injuries have plagued the Senators as well as Perón. He has missed time in each of his two seasons and is currently out with a sports hernia. His numbers in both seasons were as follows:

• 2024-25: 43 games, 9 goals, 16 points
• 2025-26: 49 games, 10 goals, 25 points

In the Senators’ first-round series against the Maple Leafs last year, he played well, scoring 2 goals and one assist in 6 games.

Over the past two seasons it was clear that Perron was an extremely slow skater. He lacks both initial burst and top end speed. What he did provide, however, was a great board battler who was always ready to move into the dirty areas. Despite limited minutes, he produced solid numbers this season, including 3 goals and 8 points on the Senators’ second power play unit.

return to senators

These are the conditions for draft selections that come before senators:

• If Perron plays a game this season or in the playoffs for the Red Wings, the Senators will receive a 2026 fourth-round draft pick.
• If Detroit reaches the second round of the playoffs and Perón plays at least 50 percent of his first-round games, the Senators will receive a 2026 third-round selection.

With these conditions, it seems as if Peron’s health is clearly still in question.

final thoughts

The move lines up nicely with the trade made just hours earlier, which brought in the Senators’ Warren Foegele. Essentially, Foegele is the Perrone replacement on the wing, with the Senators giving up a second-round pick and (probably) selecting a fourth. So, is it for senators? Staios was aggressive at last year’s deadline, so don’t be surprised to see him push for something more tomorrow.

Danny was born and raised in Ottawa and still lives in that city. He has followed… more about Danny McCloskey

The Carolina Hurricanes welcomed the post-Olympics NHL regular season with a resounding (and oddly familiar) win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. However, Saturday’s opponent, the Detroit Red Wings, also made a strong comeback in the game and defeated the Ottawa Senators in overtime.

Detroit has played remarkably well this season and currently sits in third place in the Eastern Conference standings, just six points behind Carolina.

The Hurricanes are scheduled to play the Red Wings on Saturday at 7:00 pm EST at Lenovo Center.

In their last matchup against each other, the Red Wings came out on top in overtime on the night of Sergei Federov’s jersey retirement thanks to Andrew Copp. However, it came with its share of drama, as Shayne Gostisbeer took a cross-check from behind by Coop, which opened the way for the game-winning goal.

Since the call was missed, the goal remained on the board and Gostisbehere and Sebastian Aho were both given 10-minute misconducts – the first in Aho’s NHL career.

The Hurricanes won’t be able to get a January game back, but they can finish February with a perfect record and extend their 11-game point streak to 12.

in the crease

It’s uncertain which goaltender the Hurricanes will run with on Saturday, but there is a significant possibility they may opt to keep Frederik Andersen between the pipes. He has an excellent record against the Red Wings in his time with the Hurricanes (4-1-1) and has played very well throughout the Olympics. He has a 3.26 goals-against average this season and a 7-10-5 record with a save percentage of .871, and he is currently sitting on a five-game point streak.

Meanwhile, for the Red Wings, the likely starting goalie is John Gibson. His save percentage this season is .905, with a goals-against average of 2.57 with a 23-12-2 record.

Expected Carolina Hurricane Lines

Andrei Svechnikov – Sebastian Aho – Seth Jarvis

Taylor Hall – Logan Stankoven – Jackson Blake

Nikolaj Ehlers – Jordan Staal – Jordan Martinook

William Carrier – Mark Jankowski – Eric Robinson

protect

Jacob Slavin – Jalen Chatfield

K’Andre Miller – Shawn Walker

Shayne Gostisbehere – Alexander Nikishin

goaltender

Frederick Anderson (probability) / Brandon Bussey

expected red wing lines

Marco Casper – Dylan Larkin – Lucas Raymond

Alex DeBrincat – Andrew Copp – Patrick Kane

Emmitt Finney – JT Comper – Mason Appleton

Elmer Soderblom – Michael Rasmussen – James van Riemsdyk

protect

Simon Edvinsson – Moritz Seider

Albert Johansson – Axel Sandin-Pellica

Ben Chiarot – Jacob Bernard-Docker

goaltender

John Gibson/Cam Talbot

special teams

Carolina Hurricanes Power Play: 21.9% (14th)
Carolina Hurricanes Penalty Kill: 80.2% (12th, down one spot from last game)

Detroit Red Wings Power Play: 23.4% (9th)
Detroit Red Wings Penalty Kill: 79.2% (16th)

storm game notes

Following the game versus the Red Wings, the Hurricanes will embark on a four-game western road trip from which they will not return until after the NHL trade deadline.

In Thursday’s game against the Lightning, Logan Stankoven’s line went hot, scoring five points between the three of them. After some unfortunate positions for them on the score sheet, it was a welcome sight.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi remains the probable healthy player for Saturday’s game.

how to see

TV: FanDuel Sports Network South
Streaming: ESPN+
Radio: 99.9 The Fan

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay