Red Wings vs Columbus Preview: Dylan Larkin Returns

The Detroit Red Wings will face the Columbus Blue Jackets for the first time this season after competing against them eight times last season due to the divisional change. The Blue Jackets took the season series 4-3-1 and now head into Detroit unbeaten (2-0) with a chance to run that winning streak to three.

The Blue Jackets boast a new coach (Brad Larsen), and just lost Max Domi again following an upper body injury suffered in the game against Seattle. The Jackets have been better defensively in its first two games and they will bring back an old friend, Gustav Nyquist, who has a goal already this season.

Patrik Laine has been much better already and scored an impressive goal the other night, giving credence to the trade that acquired him last season for Pierre-Luc Dubois. The Red Wings will have their hands full with a Columbus team that shed a lot in the way of Seth Jones, but seemingly appears unfazed and in some respects, better than they were last season.

Red Wings Outlook

The Athletic’s Max Bultman had these lines in practice on Tuesday:

Four Red Wings Story Lines to Watch

• The Red Wings power play will certainly be one of the more watched aspects as coach Alex Tanguay has certainly not only repaired what was plain awful last season, but has also made it far more entertaining to watch. Can it continue to see more success.
• How will Dylan Larkin play after serving his one game suspension. Larkin was dynamic in the first game of the season, scoring a goal and buzzing around the ice before being sent off the ice for the punch to the face.
• Can Lucas Raymond notch a goal tonight? He’s had chances and done more to generate offense and less scoring on it. But it’s been great seeing Raymond on the roster after only being drafted close to a year ago.
• Finally, Tyler Bertuzzi has been nothing short of outstanding in his first two games. He’s been everywhere and already has four goals to his name, thanks to the first game where he potted all of them. Will he find the scoresheet again tonight?

The puck drops at 7:30 EST.