The Red Wings face off against the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning tonight in the Sunshine State. Detroit is 2-6-2, winless in its last six but have at least a couple more players returning from Covid Protocol. From MLive’s Ansar Khan:
Looks like Fabbri, who hasn't played since Jan. 19, practicing only once, will play wing tom. at Tampa Bay (5:30, FSD) to ease transition back. Blashill said Sunday that Gagner and Merrill should be eligible to come off COVID list tomorrow and play in the game. Zadina Friday.
— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) February 2, 2021
Robby Fabbri being back is a huge boost. But from there, what changes could result? Nielsen appears to be the odd man out but the more interesting part is if both Gagner and Merrill play, who else will be out?
Marc Staal has to be one option on the blue line but my fear is that Givani Smith will be a healthy scratch up front. This seems in line with the thinking that has ruled the organization for a decade. Taro Hirose practiced the second line while Michael Rasmussen has been sent back to the taxi squad.
will be out for at least the next six games, and while that’s a blow to scoring, Fabbri should help cushion that a bit. Head coach Jeff Blashill said that decisions on Gagner and Merrill would come before the game. The video below came from Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press:
Do the Red Wings have a chance against the champs?
Beating Tampa will be a tall order but aside from needing other lines to chip in with timely scoring, Detroit has to stay out of the penalty box. Florida took full advantage while a man up, netting two of their three goals in four attempts. Though the Panthers are no slouch, Tampa is still Tampa and are currently 24% on the power play this season.
With Fabbri back in the lineup, the Wings are a better team. But this certainly isn’t the team to face when they’re looking to snap a six game winless streak.
Puck drops at 5:30 pm.