Derek Lalonde deploys a questionable lineup Monday with Patrick Kane injured

I don't usually get overly excited or upset about lineups, especially when I understand a coach is likely trying to create a spark or, in Detroit's case, possibly save a job. I feel like Lalonde's seat is warm but not as hot as many others believe.

That said, if the Red Wings go on a 2-8-0 downward spiral over the next ten games, Lalonde will be (rightfully so) toast. Personally, I think if a change is made behind Detroit's bench, I think it will come right when the season ends. Again, unless this team really starts to fall further behind in the standings, combined with their players continuing to underperform.

I am not saying I agree with waiting; if general manager Steve Yzerman believes a change needs to be made and the right coach is available, he needs to make a move similar to what the St. Louis Blues recently did by hiring Jim Montgomery following his dismissal from the Boston Bruins in favor of Joe Sacco. Is that Joel Quenneville, Gerard Gallant, Lane Lambert, or the promotion of Dan Watson? Or maybe not change at all (ducks)? Only time will tell.

With his job potentially on the line, Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde decided to deploy a very questionable lineup Monday night.

At first glance, when examining Detroit's lineup on Monday night, I thought it was one of those 'here's our lineup to begin the game, and then we're immediately shuffling things' moments. Unfortunately, this lineup became a reality. Right before the opening faceoff, Islanders head coach Patrick Roy was talking to one of his assistant coaches, covering his lips with a lineup card. He pointed toward center ice, where the players were getting set to begin play. It was as if Roy himself couldn't believe Detroit's line combinations.

If you missed it, Patrick Kane did not skate at practice Sunday and is not in Detroit's lineup Monday night in New York. He is considered day-to-day with an upper-body issue.

So, what exactly has J.T. Compher done of late to re-take the second line center position from Marco Kasper? Kasper, playing between Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane, had been a very reliable line for the Red Wings playing behind that first group. It allowed a young player like Kasper to not only gain confidence but play with a pair of scoring or offense-producing wingers. Also, Compher had performed quite well playing with Jonatan Berggren and Tyler Motte over the past couple of games. Plus, Lalonde is rewarding Kasper and Berggren Monday night by playing them with Joe Veleno who had been a healthy scratch of late.

Speaking of Berggren, he was the obvious player that needed to be elevated into Kane's usual spot in this lineup, playing with DeBrincat and Kasper. Plus, if Lalonde wanted to shake things up, he should have put DeBrincat back with Larkin and Raymond, leaving a second line of Vladimir Tarasenko, Kasper, and Berggren, who had skated as Detroit's third line for a good portion of the first month. That trio struggled to score but appeared dangerous together and created a ton of chances. Since that time together, Berggren and Kasper have started to produce offense so that it wouldn't be the worst idea. Basically, I am trying to say here that in no way, shape, or form should Tyler Motte skate as a top-six forward. Good grief, Charlie Brown. A team already struggling to produce offense at even strength buries their young forwards with scoring upside in the bottom six rather than allowing them an opportunity to fill a void with one of their better playmakers out is a choice.