Red Wings at Oilers — Gameday Updates, Lineups and Keys to the Game

Gameday Updates

With the optional morning skate, we don’t know if there will be changes to the lines as of the time this article posts. If there are updates later, we’ll update this.

UPDATE:

I didn’t get to watch the game last night yet, but I saw the replay of this sequence, and I’m 100% fine with Helm getting a fine for what he did. What I’m 0% fine with is Lindholm not getting anything. - Peter

Lineups

Red Wings

Forwards

Tyler Bertuzzi — Dylan Larkin — Anthony Mantha
Luke Glendening — Frans Nielsen — Andreas Athanasiou
Taro Hirose — Valtteri Filppula — Adam Erne
Darren Helm — Jacob de la Rose — Justin Abdelkader

Defense

Trevor Daley — Filip Hronek
Patrik Nemeth — Mike Green
Dennis Cholowski — Alex Biega

Goalies

Jonathan Bernier (**may play Howard back-to-back**)
Jimmy Howard

Oilers

Forwards

Leon Draisaitl — Connor McDavid — Zack Kassian
Alex Chiasson — Ryan Nugent-Hopkins — James Neal
Jujhar Khaira — Riley Sheahan — Patrick Russell
Tomas Jurco — Markus Granlund — Josh Archibald

Defense

Darnell Nurse — Ethan Bear
Oscar Klefbom — Joel Persson** (concussion protocol)
Kris Russell — Matt Benning

Goalies

Mikko Koskinen
Mike Smith

Keys to the Game

1. Limit the Combo of Draisaitl and McDavid

I say “limit” because “shut down” may be too tall of a task here. The Oilers’ top duo has combined for 32 points through seven games this season — McDavid is already on pace for a whopping 199 points — and if the Wings stand to have any chance in this game it will be limiting their offensive chances. Another player to keep an eye on in this game is James “The Real Deal” Neal as he’s off to a torrid scoring pace, leading the team with eight goals so far.

2. Somebody Else Contribute Offensively

It’s no secret that the BLM line has shouldered much of the scoring load so far this season in Detroit. But, if they’re going to be more successful, then they will need some help...and the expectation can’t be that the Wings’ fourth line is the answer. Blashill talked about shaking things up this week to get AA and Hirose going, but I’ve been adamant that shuffling the top line isn’t the answer. If Filppula or Nielsen can’t chip in with some added help, then the next step might be to call up Michael Rasmussen (five points in three games) from Grand Rapids.

3. Stay out of the Box

Easier said than done, but this is not a power play the Wings want to face too often tonight. The Oilers currently lead the NHL with a 45.5% success rate (next closest is Buffalo at 35.7%) and with their three weapons up front — Draisaitl, McDavid and Neal — it will make for a long night in net for Bernier should they get extra chances on the man advantage.