Feb 27, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Detroit Red Wings forward Evgeny Svechnikov (37) is congratulated for scoring a goal during the third period against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Red Wings strung a couple wins together. They followed it up with a couple clunkers, which reminded everyone that it’s still a work in progress. The 7-2 loss to Chicago Sunday night followed by the 4-1 defeat against Columbus gives us a lead up tonight that sees Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi still out with injuries. Tonight’s game against Carolina will give the Wings a nice five day break before they start a two-game series against Tampa Bay, indications that it won’t get any easier anytime soon.
Regardless, that two game spark provided a bit of relief from what was becoming a redundant run of losses marked by a lack of scoring. A couple games where Detroit burst out with five goals in consecutive games reminded us that it could be fun watching our favorite hockey team. Help is on the way, as Jonatan Berggren is showcasing skills that could jumpstart the offense while Evgeny Svechnikov has three points (2-1) in three games since joining the team. He now has a chance to play against his brother (finally).
This has been a constant cycle of losing for going on four years now but there are glimpses of improvement. Trade rumors are beginning to swirl, and the deadline looms in just over a month, to which younger players may get a crack at the Detroit lineup should Steve Yzerman move Bobby Ryan or other veterans.
Everything old is new again. We can hope that the phrase applies to the “old” Red Wings who used to do a lot of winning as the new, dynamic, and NHL-ready youngsters begin to populate the lineup in the coming years.
Red Wings face Carolina before a short break
The Hurricanes are 15-6-1 and sit in second place in the Central Division. The real thing to watch for will be to see if the Svechnikov brothers get their chance to play each other tonight.
“I feel confidence out there with the puck.”
More from Evgeny Svechnikov following today’s practice day: https://t.co/coBAqPz23a@wwt_inc x #LGRW pic.twitter.com/bzd1akzdlm
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) March 3, 2021
The teams are 1-1 this season head-to-head and obviously have different fortunes. Carolina trying to cement a high seed for the playoffs: The Red Wings trying to be respectable while finally getting a lottery pick higher than fourth.
The game begins at 7:00 pm EST.