Gameday Updates
The Red Wings will be without their leading scorer for the foreseeable future…
#RedWings Blashill said Mantha (lower body injury) out at least 2 weeks. Probably longer since he won’t be skating anytime soon.
— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) November 26, 2019
But, they could get a pair of veterans back in time for tonight’s game with the Leafs…
#RedWings Green said he feels better, has to talk to trainers to see about tomorrow. Erne felt good in practice and thinks he should be okay for tomorrow.
— Dana Wakiji (@Dwakiji) November 26, 2019
Both #RedWings Green and Erne participating in optional morning skate.
— Dana Wakiji (@Dwakiji) November 27, 2019
#RedWings Green says he isn’t ready to go tonight, hopeful for Friday.
— Dana Wakiji (@Dwakiji) November 27, 2019
#RedWings Bernier in starter’s net for optional morning skate at @LCArena_Detroit. pic.twitter.com/A9wMJDjHKy
— Dana Wakiji (@Dwakiji) November 27, 2019
For the Leafs, Alexander Kerfoot received a two-game suspension for his part in boarding Erik Johnson over the weekend.
Petan taking Kerfoot’s spot with Spezza-Kapanen
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) November 26, 2019
Projected Lineups
Red Wings
#RedWings in practice:
Fabbri—Larkin-Bertuzzi
Zadina-Filppula-Helm
Glendening-Nielsen-Athanasiou
Hirose-Ehn-PerliniNemeth-Hronek
Ericsson-Bowey
Cholowski-McIlrath
Biega-Green— Dana Wakiji (@Dwakiji) November 26, 2019
Maple Leafs
Lines at Leafs practice
Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander
Mikheyev-Tavares-Hyman
Petan-Spezza-Kapanen
Engvall- 🐐 -Timashov
Kerfoot, ShoreRielly-Ceci
Muzzin-Holl
Dermott-Barrie
MarincinAndersen
Hutchinson— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) November 26, 2019
Keys to the Game
Zadina Needs to Start Strong and Finish
The young Czech winger earned his first call-up of the season the other night against the Hurricanes. Of his 15-plus minutes on the ice, he was most impressive in the first period, but then fizzled out like the rest of the Wings for the final two periods. It’s a huge opportunity for Zadina to show what he can do amidst a flurry of injuries on the roster. The young winger had points in six of his past seven games (including four goals) with Grand Rapids before receiving the call to the big club. He has the offensive prowess, now he just needs to execute that at the NHL level.
Win the Special Teams Battle
The Wings haven’t exactly capitalized on their chances with the man advantage this season, clicking at just a 13.6% rate (27th in NHL). That being said, this could be an opportunity for them to buck that trend considering this might be the weakest link in the Leafs lineup at the moment. The buds are converting at just an 18.4% success rate on the powerplay (T-18th in NHL). If the Wings want any chance of winning this game, it may be through the man advantage.
Bend, but Don’t Break
The Wings have been struggling for weeks on the back end and the injury bug hasn’t helped things one bit. Mike Green looks poised to jump back in the lineup tonight, so his presence could help the team offensively. The Wings need to find a way to bend, but don’t break in terms of managing the scoring chances against them. The Leafs have plenty of firepower and they will need to find a way to keep them at bay.
