The Detroit Red Wings are quickly approaching another must-win game. Tonight's bout against the Ottawa Senators comes with a unique twist: five of Ottawa's six defensemen are injured. They're without Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot, Nick Jensen, Lassi Thomson and Dennis Gilbert. Additionally, the Sens are on a back-to-back against the New York Rangers, where they worked valiantly to hold the Rangers to just nine shots.
The Red Wings have a very unique opportunity on their hands: if they play their cards right, they can exploit Ottawa's injured defensive corps and exhaustion following their back-to-back game. This is as good an opportunity as any for the Red Wings to get back on track following a heartbreaking loss against the Boston Bruins.
Dylan Larkin's potential return
Best of all, there's an extremely strong chance captain Dylan Larkin makes his return tonight. Head coach Todd McLellan announced yesterday that the star center will be a game-time decision for tonight's bout. This morning, Larkin practiced during the optional morning skate and apepared optimistic during the team's press conference.
Getting Larkin back at this leg of the season would be nothing short of fantastic for the Red Wings. The team has managed just a 3-3-1 record with Larkin out, managing to tread water in that time. Having said that, the team is now outside the playoff picture looking in. They'll need as much help from Larkin as they can get moving forward.
This is the perfect game for Larkin to get back on track. Ottawa's defense should be easy to exploit and their goaltending situation leaves a lot to be desired. Plus, the emergence of players like Emmitt Finnie at center have shown that Larkin no longer has to bear such a massive burden between the wings. The team can ease him back into the rigor of the NHL without having to rush him.
How the Red Wings have fared against Ottawa so far
This has been the best season the Red Wings have had against the Senators in years. They are currently 3-0 against Ottawa, with 5-3, 4-3 and 2-1 wins in that span. Should they come out victorious tonight, they'll have completed the season sweep against the Senators. It will be the second in the division they've put together following their sweep of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The conditions are perfect for the Red Wings. The question remains, however, in how the execution will go. Doubt the Ottawa Senators at your own peril. The New York Rangers, after all, managed just nine shots against an extremely injured defensive corps and were quickly humbled by the scrappy Senators. The Red Wings need to approach this team the same way they would if it were fully healthy. To go in with anything less than playoff-style aggression is asking for trouble.