Time: 7:30 PM EST
Place: Little Caesars arena
TV: FS-Detroit, RDS, TSN2
Radio: 97.1 FM The Ticket/1270 AM
Canadiens Blog: Habs Eyes on the Prize
Hello again everyone. It’s like deja vu AGAIN for me and these morning skates. I just did the last one vs. Montreal two weeks ago when the Wings were riding a 6-game losing streak. Well, we know how that game went. Somehow, things are still just as bad as they finish up a 3-game road trip against Atlantic Division foes. The Wings have now lost 13 of 16, 7 of which were by 2+ goals. I’m 22, so this is by far the worst they have ever been in my lifetime. Have to assume the last time they were this bad was the dreaded 1985-86 season when they generated 40 points in 80 games. It’s a fair argument that Blashill has lost the locker room as well, since it seems like all of the players just look disinterested, especially with Larkin out of the lineup. The Wings hope to welcome #71 back tonight, but I certainly wouldn’t rush him back to risk long-term injury. Outside of the draft lottery, there is not much to cheer for if you’re a fan outside of the growth of the young players, which means things are as glum as possible in Detroit.
For Montreal, they have struggled recently, losing 3 of their last 4 and 9 of their last 14. For a team currently out of the playoffs, that is the last thing you would want. It’s safe to expect the best game from Montreal, because every point is precious for them at this point. Tomas Tatar is basically a game time decision, after missing last games 8-2 drubbing to Anaheim with an illness. That’d be a big loss for the Canadiens as he’s been a huge addition to their team this season. He’s 3rd on the team with 48 points as Max Domi, 60, and Jonathan Drouin, 50, lead the way for the Habs in what is pretty much a “must-win” game for them tonight.
Projected Lines
Red Wings
Bert-Larkin-Mantha
Vanek-AA-Zadina
Abby-LGD-Helm
Ehn-DLR-Rasmussen
DDK-Hronek
Ericsson-Daley
Kronwall-Bowey
Canadiens
Tatar-Danault-Gallagher
Byron-Domi-Shaw
Drouin-Kotkaniemi-Armia
Thompson-Weal-Weise
Mete-Weber
Reilly-Petry
Benn-Frolin
Price
Niemi
