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Red Wings vs Oilers: GDU, Lineups, Keys to the Game

Game Day Updates

Lineups

Detroit

Forwards
Bertuzzi – Larkin – Raymond
Rasmussen – Copp – Perron
Berggren – Veleno – Fabbri
Kubalik – Suter – Sundqvist

Defense
Walman – Seider
Chiarot – Hronek
Maatta – Oesterle

Goalies
Husso
Hellberg

Edmonton

Forwards
Holloway – McDavid – Hyman
Kane – Draisaitl – Ryan
Kostin – Nugent-Hopkins – Janmark
Desharnais – McLeod – Puljujarvi

Defense
Nurse – Ceci
Kulak – Barrie
Broberg – Bouchard

Goalies
Skinner
Campbell

Keys to the Game

1.  Hold On To Your Butts

McDavid is a generational talent at the peak of his powers right now. He is putting up point totals that even Crosby in his prime could not reach. You cannot stop McDavid, the Wings simply have to not get caved by him and they may still have a chance to win this game. But at the very least enjoy the show for what is, McDavid is a spectacle to watch.

2.  Avoid The Box

This ties into the the key above. Yes, stopping McDavid in any way possible is crucial to keeping this game close. But the Wings can’t take penalties to do it. Trying to slow McDavid down by taking any penalties defeats the purpose. McDavid, Draisaitl, and the Oilers own the league’s best powerplay at 32%. So you can believe Lalonde will be all over his group to be disciplined with their sticks and to avoid any dumb mistakes that put them a man down.

3. Make Use of the Fresh Start

The Wings have seemingly been slipping all season after a promising start. Yes at the end of the day they are roughly where they were supposed to be in the standings, especially given that critical pieces like Bertuzzi and Vrana have missed the entire season or nearly. But everybody should be recharged and refreshed coming out of the 11 day break, more than most other teams received. Expect to see jump in the team’s legs as they gear up for the final two months of the season. There are lots of guys trying to show their trade value to end up with a contender, or play their way into their next contract.

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