Game Day Updates
#RedWings will go with 12 and 6 tonight. Luke Witkowski will play forward, Jonathan Ericsson is a healthy scratch. Thomas Vanek (hip flexor) out.
— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) February 26, 2019
#RedWings Howard first goalie off after optional morning skate.
— Dana Wakiji (@Dwakiji) February 26, 2019
Red Wings
Helm-Larkin-Mantha
Bert-AA-Zadina
LGD-Nielsen-Rasmussen
Abby-DLR-Witkowski
Kronwall-Green
DDK-Hronek
Daley-Bowey
Canadiens
Drouin-Danault-Gallagher
Tatar-Domi-Shaw
Byron-Kotkaniemi-Armia
Peca-Thompson/Weal-Lehkonen (Not sure where Weal goes but I’m sure it’d be the 4th line)
Mete-Weber
Reilly-Petry
Benn-Kulak
Price
Niemi
Key Matchups
1. Z and B
I know this really isn’t a matchup, but all eyes are going to be on Zadina and Bowey tomorrow. For Bowey, it’s his 1st career game for Detroit and for Zadina, well, he indirectly called out Montreal after the draft saying he would “fill their net with pucks.” Let’s start with Zadina as he has been moved up to the Top 6 on the 2nd line with AA and Bert. Therefore, he should see more than the 10 minutes he got the other night, which means hopefully he gives us a highlight or two. For Bowey, you’re just looking for consistency, which he struggled with in Washington. The potential and upside is there for him, so let’s hope a change of scenery is exactly what he needs. All eyes will be on the new young guys tonight, and that’s the way it should be.
2. Larkin line vs. Shea Weber
Shea Weber finally returned to Montreal’s lineup in late-November from an injury that kept him out 11 months and has been nothing short of excellent for the Canadiens since. He carries a +12 rating and 23 Pts in 38 GP this year and is starting to make the 1-for-1 trade with PK Subban look a little more even. It’s no secret anymore that Dylan Larkin is on his way to becoming an elite player. He has seven points in his last five games. Him and Anthony Mantha, eight points his last five, are starting to be the dynamic duo we’ve expected to see soon. This will be a tough matchup for those two, and whoever they slot in to replace Nyquist. If they can stay hot, they could help Detroit end the losing streak.
3. 2nd lines
Tatar-Domi-Shaw vs. Bertuzzi-AA-Zadina. I’m am very excited for this matchup. You’ll have Zadina playing good minutes against the two leading scorers on Montreal, Bertuzzi out there to protect him from that punk Shaw and Athanasiou finally back at center. If the Red Wings win this matchup, they win the game. I truthfully don’t expect that to happen, but I really am just looking for them to stay competitive and be right there with Montreal’s 2nd line. The average age of 22 on the Red Wings 2nd line is eye-opening, but the youth movement continues and I’m really excited to see what these young guys can do against one of the better 2nd lines in hockey.
