Husso Returns to Net as Red Wings Host Sharks
Ville Husso assumes the net as Detroit looks to prolong its winning streak to eight against the struggling San Jose Sharks at Little Caesars Arena
DETROIT—Tonight, the Detroit Red Wings, 20–18–4 and winners of seven straight games, will look to make it eight on the bounce as they host the San Jose Sharks, who arrive in town at 13–26–6, dead last in the Pacific Division.
As Detroit looks to continue its winning ways, coach Todd McLellan will be turning to Ville Husso in net for the first time since his takeover. Husso last appeared at the NHL level on Dec. 14, when he beat the Toronto Maple Leafs for his first NHL victory in over a calendar year. Since then, he's started three times in the AHL for the Grand Rapids Griffins, winning two of those outings including a 31-save shutout his last time out against the Cleveland Monsters on the second of the month.
"It's our first opportunity to watch him play," said McLellan of Husso after this morning's skate. "And from what I've heard from people around the team, players included, he played really well when he was here. He didn't get a lot of run support. Sometimes good goaltending needs help. I'm hoping that he can provide that first part and the rest of the crew can help him with everything else."
For, McLellan, meanwhile, tonight's game represents a chance to go up against the team with which he began his head coaching career, having jumped from being a Red Wing assistant to the Sharks head man in the summer of 2008. Of that moment, he said this morning, "You think you're ready. You're ready to leave Detroit and go to San Jose, and you carry yourself like you are, but you still have a lot to learn...I think the game has changed a lot since then too, so you have to evolve with it."
Finally, taking on San Jose means a bout with the 2024 number one overall draft pick, Macklin Celebrini. After missing all but one game in the month of October to injury, the former Boston University Terrier has enjoyed the sort of season you'd expect from a top pick, with 13 goals and 16 assists for 29 points in the 33 games he has played. As McLellan pointed out, Celebrini has also shown qualities you might not expect from an elite prospect entering the league to go along with the ones you would. The Red Wing coach said of the British Columbian center, "Tremendous player obviously. You don't go number one overall by accident...A lot of the first picks overall sometimes aren't aware of the other side of the puck. He seems to be [aware] for the most part, so really good player."
Injury Update
Husso's start comes as Alex Lyon—out since Jan. 7—approaches a return to health. Lyon was on the ice working with goaltending coach Alex Westland one-on-one during this morning's skate, which McLellan referred to as "a real positive." Meanwhile, injured defenseman Jeff Petry—out since Jan. 2—remains out "longer term" according to McLellan. When asked whether Petry would travel on the team's upcoming four-game road swing, the coach replied, "I would say no right now. It's a good question. I haven't asked that, but in my own gut, I would say no."
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