Game Day Updates
#RedWings Howard says he is playing tonight.
— Dana Wakiji (@Dwakiji) January 16, 2018
#RedWings Blashill said tests on Helm and Abdelkader (both lower body injuries) revealed no structural damage. They won’t play Saturday. Beyond that, no time frame.
— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) January 16, 2018
#RedWings Mantha with his bobblehead, which goes to first 7,500 fans tonight. First bobblehead for Mantha in his career. pic.twitter.com/rwSOdCy4qE
— Dana Wakiji (@Dwakiji) January 16, 2018
Other than that, the morning skate was optional, so no additional updates on lines. Glendening took part in the skate, but Blashill re-confirmed he won’t be back before the All-Star break.
Projected Lines
Detroit
Mantha-Z-Nyquist
Bertuzzi-Larkin-AA
Tatar-Nielsen-Frk
Witkowski-Turgeon-Booth
Dekeyser-Daley
Kronwall-Green
Ericsson-Jensen
Howard
Mrazek
Stars
Benn-Seguin-Radulov
Janmark-Hanzal-Shore
Roussel-Faksa-Pitlick
Elie-Spezza-Ritchie
Lindell-Klingberg
Hamhuis-Pateryn
Johns-Honka
Bishop
Lehtonen
Key Matchups
1. Seguin/Benn/Radulov vs. the Red Wings D
There’s no secret that the Stars have had one of the best top lines in the league for years. With the offseason signing of Alexander Radulov to replace Patrick Sharp, it got even better. This line has combined for 119 points this season already, and continue to remain hot. I’m not sure which defensive unit Blashill will throw at this line, but whichever line it is will have to come up big to keep these three off the score sheet.
2. The Red Wings Youth Movement vs. Klingberg
John Klingberg has slowly become one of the best offensive-defenseman in all of hockey. Klingberg has 40 points on the year to lead all NHL defenseman, but also provides a nice defensive game as well. Larkin, Mantha, AA and Bertuzzi combined for 7 points Sunday vs. the Blackhawks as they continue to show signs of a promising future in Detroit. If they can keep using their speed and skill set in the offensive zone against Klingberg, the Red Wings could be ok tonight.
3. Mattias Janmark vs. his former team
Remember Mattias Janmark? Probably not because he never played for Detroit. How about Erik Cole? No? Well that’s because he only played 11 games in his Red Wing career. That was Ken Holland’s genius in 2015 to give up Janmark, Mattias Backman and a 2nd round pick for Cole, and now Janmark is becoming a real solid Top 6 forward in Dallas. He has 2 points in 3 career games against Detroit, and his on pace for 43 points this year after missing all of last season with a knee injury. It should be interesting to see how Janmark plays against the team who originally drafted him back in 2013.
