The Detroit Red Wings will be without two-thirds of their top line Tuesday at Montreal.
Coach Jeff Blashill said after the morning skate at Bell Centre captain Dylan Larkin will miss the game “for personal reasons.” Tyler Bertuzzi will miss his second straight game of the trip because his decision not to get vaccinated for COVID-19 means he cannot cross the border under current regulations.
Bertuzzi leads the Wings with nine points (three goals, three assists) in seven games and Larkin is second with eight points (three goals, five assists) in eight games.
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Their absences led to Michael Rasmussen, who usually centers the third line, moving up to play between Lucas Raymond and Robby Fabbri. Adam Erne, who missed Saturday’s 5-4 loss at Toronto after blocking a shot Friday, is expected to play on the second line with Pius Suter and Filip Zadina.
When Larkin did not practice Monday, Blashill described it as a maintenance day. Blashill would not say if Larkin will be available Thursday when the Wings play the Bruins. Bertuzzi, who is not being paid by the Wings while he misses team activities in Canada, is responsible for making his own way to Boston in time for Wednesday’s practice.
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