Petry-less Red Wings Look to Crash the Jets

Tonight, the Detroit Red Wings will look to make it four wins in a row, taking on the NHL-leading Jets at the Canada Life Center in Winnipeg.  The Jets dominated the Red Wings in Detroit in late October, blitzing their way to a 6–2 victory that showed the best of the game that's helped them to a league-best 56 points—a devastating transition game fueled by stingy neutral defense and a heavy forechecking gear.

After this morning's skate, Red Wing center and former Jet Andrew Copp—whom coach Todd McLellan referred to as the "safety valve" of his line with Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat—told reporters about the shift in energy for the team following McLellan's takeover.  "Since the change, we've got some confidence, some momentum, starting trusting ourselves instinctually a little more," he said.  "We're playing a lot better, so three in a row now, would be a huge win if we can get one tonight and kind of keep it going.  We're feeling good about the direction we're heading and some of the changes that have been made, and it's up to us to find a way to keep some momentum going through January here."

McLellan lauded Winnipeg as "as good a defensive team as there is in the league...in all three zones," while also identifying the unique firepower of the NHL's top power play (32.0%): "Sometimes a power play only has one or two scoring options; the rest are facilitators or playmakers. This power play has five guys that can shoot the puck past the goaltender, so it makes it a little more difficult to plan. They don't often show you the same look twice, and they're real good at retrieving any garbage, so it's not like you get an opportunity to relieve the pressure very much. We'll need some good goaltending, we'll need some good structure, and...stay out of the box."

Tonight, the Red Wings will have to do without Jeff Petry, who was unable to finish Thursday's game against the Blue Jackets in Columbus.  McLellan referred to it as "a good sign" that Petry traveled to Winnipeg with the team, before saying, "once we get back to Detroit, he'll get the care he needs and hopefully short term."

Petry's absence opens the door for defenseman Albert Johansson to play under McLellan, having been a healthy scratch for the first four games out of the coaching change.  Said McLellan of the 24-year-old rookie, "He's been waiting patiently, he's worked really hard in practice, and he's gonna get his opportunity, so we're real excited about that."  It won't be an easy (re-)entry point against a ferocious Jets team,

Where to Watch

Tonight's game is scheduled for a 7 PM puck drop.  FanDuel Sports Network Detroit will have the in-market broadcast on television and their streaming app.  ESPN+/Hulu will have the out-of-market stream.  97.1 The Ticket will handle the radio call.

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