Detroit Red Wings

DETROIT -- In their last 10 games against Montreal, the Red Wings are 2-6-2. They've beaten the Canadiens once in regulation in that span, a 1-0 shutout victory on Jan. 16, 2017 at Joe Louis Arena.

Detroit's aware it's been tough sledding versus Montreal lately, but it hopes to capitalize on a tired Canadiens team that played Monday, losing at home to the Minnesota Wild, 1-0.

"They have a team that's built with speed and quickness, getting in on the forecheck," Justin Abdelkader said after Tuesday's morning skate. "They're really tenacious around the net, especially (Brendan) Gallagher, so we've got to make sure we've got to get sticks in all those lanes to the puck.

"They're just a team that works really hard, so we got to go out and make sure our work ethic is the best it can be; especially with those guys playing last night, we've got to jump on them early."

All season the Wings have stressed starting on time, establishing their speed game by employing an aggressive forecheck and getting pucks deep into the attacking zone.

Against Montreal, it's essential Detroit has its legs from the start.

"I think like any night, you have to get out of your end. But probably specifically to Montreal -- and maybe this is specific to a couple of guys -- but as a team, they get to the net really, really well," Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. "Gallagher's one of the best. They're hard at your net for sure, so we're going to have to do a real good job of hopefully not spending much time in our end, but when we do, making sure that we defend that net real well.

 

A win and the Red Wings could really climb the Ladder.....albeit it has been a tough Road Trip.

 

Its lonely down here in the cellar.

 

Hang in there! It's better to get a high pick than miss the playoffs and pick 11th.

 

The 31st place team has only an 18.5% chance at selecting first. That is better odds than any other team. And, sometimes it works out; ask Buffalo in 2018 & Toronto in 2016.

Also, this will be a very good year for picking second.

Things always look like a hot mess when your team is contending for worst place. Hang in there; it does get better.

 

The 31st place team has only an 18.5% chance at selecting first. That is better odds than any other team. And, sometimes it works out; ask Buffalo in 2018 & Toronto in 2016.


Yes Dan just ask the Vancouver Canucks.....I hate that Lottery......but we got EP40 last year @ # 5.

 

Gord always gives me a smile, and a like goes out.

 

That's a pic of Gordie when he became the 1st NHL'er ever to have played in 1300 games.

 

That's a pic of Gordie when he became the 1st NHL'er ever to have played in 1300 games.


Great photo Will.........and that is Alex Delvecchio correct ???

Look at their Skates............I remember those days and OMG have skates ever come a long way.

 

Detroit Red Wings

Record: 19-25-7, 45 points, seventh place in Atlantic

MVP: Dylan Larkin. The center leads the Red Wings in goals (21), points (48) and average ice time per game (21:55), and he plays big roles on the power play and penalty kill. The 22-year-old continues to be the centerpiece of Detroit's rebuilding effort.

Unsung hero: Jimmy Howard. The goalie is having one of his better seasons, including a .931 even-strength save percentage that's the best of his NHL career for a full season. The Red Wings allow 33.2 shots on goal per game, fifth most in the NHL, but the 34-year-old has given them a solid effort just about every game.

Player to watch: Gustav Nyquist. The forward has 43 points (11 goals, 32 assists) in 51 games after he had 40 points (21 goals, 19 assists) in 82 games last season. The 29-year-old, who can become an unrestricted free agent July 1, could be used to gather assets ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline on Feb. 25, or the Red Wings could attempt to re-sign him and make him part of their core with Larkin.

Second-half prognosis: The key for the Red Wings, who could miss the playoffs for the third straight season, is the continued development of some of their younger players, among them center Michael Rasmussen, 19, and defensemen Dennis Cholowski, 20, and Filip Hronek, 21.

 

Red Wings next game...

 

Red Wings to retire Kelly's No. 4 prior to game against Maple Leafs
Hall of Fame defenseman won Stanley Cup eight times, four each with Detroit, Toronto...



TORONTO -- Red Kelly never wanted the No. 4 when the Detroit Red Wings gave it to him in 1948.

Seventy-one years later, the organization will retire that same number in his honor prior to the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Little Caesars Arena on Friday (7:30 p.m. ET; FS-D, TSN4, NHL.TV).

"Amazing, isn't it?" Kelly, 91, said Wednesday. "I fought against having it, but it seemed to work out well in the end. Very well."

The Red Wings are the second team to ensure no one ever wears Kelly's No. 4. The Maple Leafs retired that number on Oct. 13, 2016 in tribute to both Kelly and forward Hap Day.

"It's nice that they are doing this on a night both those teams are playing against each other," Kelly said. "All for a number I was reluctant to get."

Kelly came to Red Wings training camp as a 20-year-old with no expectations in 1947 and was surprised when he was kept on as the team's fifth defenseman. He was given No. 20, a number he said he was comfortable with.

Various injuries to his teammates allowed Kelly to move into the top four midway through the season. He responded by getting 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) in 60 games while showcasing his skill as a shutdown defenseman.

With his role having increased during the course of his rookie season, management figured his number should change, too, when he showed up for training camp in 1948.

"I came back and they gave me No. 4," Kelly said. "I kind of complained about it. I said: "I like 20." They said: "No, that's two numbers … we want you to have No. 4, so they gave me No. 4. And that's the number I had for the next 19 years.

"It was a great run. I spent 12-1/2 seasons with Detroit, 7-1/2 with Toronto. We won seven consecutive League championships and four Stanley Cups (1950, 1952, 1954, 1955) in Detroit, then four Stanley Cups in Toronto (1962, 1963, 1964, 1967)." (NHL.com)