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Previewing the Detroit Red Wings’ Week Ahead

By Nate Brown

Jan 29, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) receives congratulations from teammates after scoring in the first period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) receives congratulations from teammates after scoring in the first period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Red Wings played three games in five days and still have a couple more ahead. In what will be a pair of games in three days, Detroit will see two Pacific Division teams come to Little Caesars Arena before taking a week off for the All-Star Break.

Here’s a few things to watch for this week:

Games This Week

Tomorrow vs Anaheim

What happened last time: Some heartbreak. Detroit tied the game late but Trevor Zegras (a HUGE fan favorite of Red Wings right now) buried the winner in a shootout. Zegras, of course, is a Calder candidate along with Red Wings’ Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond, and Alex Nedeljkovic.

Wednesday vs Los Angeles

What happened last time: Ha! That blasted first period where they were outshot 27-2. It didn’t get much better from there. A 4-0 loss. Really not much else to write about. Let’s hope it goes better.

Other Red Wings Storylines to Follow This Week

  • Gemel Smith is on the taxi squad and wouldn’t it be something if he gets to compete with his younger brother? Possibly on the same line, too.
  • Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi are tops on the team in scoring, with 22 and 21 goals respectively. Larkin is in the top ten of the league (tied for 9th) while Bertuzzi is tied for 13th trailing by just one goal. Though secondary scoring is a concern, it’s definitely a good sign that the Red Wings can count on legitimate goal scorers again.
  • Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff wrote that Pat Verbeek is a legitimate candidate for the GM job in Anaheim per a report from Elliotte Friedman. He also notes that Verbeek has been one of Yzerman’s most trusted lieutenants, going back to Tampa Bay. If he does leave, who will Yzerman promote from within? Or maybe bring back Sergei Fedorov as he continues to bring back guys from the glory years.
  • The All-Star game will feature Dylan Larkin appearing his second, and first since his rookie campaign back in 2015-16.
  • With two victories this week, the Red Wings can jump over .500 again. A couple losses puts them at their lowest winning percentage all season long.

Related Story. Red Wings Weekly Review: Power Plays & Blashill's 500th Game. light

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