Red Wings Rumblings
A step in the right direction.
Okay, so Boston isn’t the definition of “good team.” Still, a nice win for the Red Wings against the Bruins on Saturday. Marco Kasper got his 15th of the season, Cam Talbot had his best performance in a long time — an encouraging outcome. Detroit is still on the outside looking in, but the second wild card spot in the NHL’s Eastern Conference is still up for grabs. The Wings are currently three points from tying with Montreal, who holds that second spot. Columbus and NYR are the two teams that are ahead of Detroit for that spot.
Just a few games are on the schedule this week — it starts tomorrow against the searing-hot St. Louis Blues on the road, then two home games Friday and Sunday against Carolina and Florida, respectively. Not a very easy schedule, eh? This is true “gut check” time for the Red Wings. It’s the home stretch.
Some prospect updates for you now…
Axel Sandin Pellikka and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard are back in action with Skelleftea today. Looks like the pair of first-round picks will be sticking around Sweden for a while long, as their SHL club looks to be poised for playoff hockey.
2022 second-round pick Dylan James will return to the University of North Dakota next year for his senior season. UND fans are pretty amped up about that — they love the guy. He’s going to be an interesting player to keep an eye on next season.
Meanwhile, the Grand Rapids Griffins clinched a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs over the weekend. The Griffins have nine games left in their season.
Finally, more praise for 2023 sixth-round pick will Rudy Guimond. He earned (another) shutout with Moncton in the QMJHL, who leads their playoff series 2-0. It’s junior-level hockey, but his numbers will do the talking — 16-0-0 with 1.73 GAA in the regular season (and a .940 SV% to boot!). This was Guimond’s first-career start in QMJHL postseason action. Keep an eye on that guy.
Finally, the Frozen Four is set:
Western Michigan vs Denver – April 10 at 5:00 PM ET
Penn State vs Boston U – April 10 at 8:30 PM ET
The two winners will meet for all the marbles April 12.
