Detroit Red Wings Preview: Mr. Smith Goes Back to Grand Rapids

Givani Smith isn’t going to be on the taxi squad for a while. Or with the Detroit Red Wings for that matter. Yesterday, the Red Wings announced a little change:

In exchange for this guy:

Now things get interesting. There’s no doubt that Svechnikov is playing for his career here in Detroit and it may be inferred that he’ll be in the lineup for tonight’s game against Chicago.  The 2015 first round pick was exposed to waivers back in January, and while the team knew it was a risk, they still took it. From the Detroit Free Press’ Helene St. James:

"“Unfortunately, Evgeny has had a number of injuries so he hasn’t been able to show a full kind of season of where he is at,” coach Jeff Blashill said Monday. “But we also have to make roster decisions and you’re restricted to your roster. Nothing is permanent. You have that risk, potentially, of losing guys, but let’s see where we’re at here at noon tomorrow.”"

Now everyone knows where they’re at: possibly giving him the chance to finally have an opportunity in the lineup.

Meanwhile, Smith heads back to Grand Rapids for presumably more playing time as he’s been sitting as a healthy scratch while the veterans continue to get the ice time. Smith should get premium minutes with the Griffins but it’s still curious that he’s being denied in Detroit after being just over a week removed from a Gordie Howe hat trick. That tie remains with the veteran and while Svechniknov will get his limited look, he too may be in the same boat as Smith.

The Red Wings have been better

Let’s face it: Monday’s game was one Detroit should have won. They outplayed Chicago, but just couldn’t put together enough scoring opportunities to bury the Blackhawks. Filip Hronek had a rough game, and it was especially brutal in overtime. Not only was Hronek unable to control an outlet pass from Dylan Larkin that could have led to a breakaway, but he was horrifically out of position on the play that led to Chicago’s two on one game winning goal.

The only additional spot for the Red Wings to really improve is the power play and for some improvement on it, they should look no further than their opponent for help. The Blackhawks maximized their chances on the power play, creating room, and scoring chances instead of skating to a spot and wishing for something to happen while staying in that spot.

Additionally, throw Svechnikov out there and see what he can do (if he plays). At this point, anything different is welcomed. Then again, if Tyler Bertuzzi finds his way back into the lineup, that would be a massive boost to the man advantage being that he still leads the team in goals after missing the last seven games.

The Red Wings and Blackhawks face off at 7:30 tonight.