Line Combinations: Red Wings at Canucks

On Thursday, the Detroit Red Wings continue their Western road trip after falling 4-3 in a shootout to the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday. Now they head north of the border for three games, beginning with a matchup against the Vancouver Canucks.

After winning just 25 games last season, the Canucks still appear to be rebuilding and have stumbled to another rough start at 2-8-1. The Red Wings haven't been much better, winning one more game than Vancouver for a 3-3-3 record, but they hold a clear edge in this matchup. Detroit has won eight of the last ten meetings, including three straight heading into Thursday night.

Defense was the biggest strength for the Red Wings in those recent wins, as they allowed just three total goals across the three games, although Thursday may present a tougher test. 

Vancouver's offense has been its lone bright spot, scoring 33 goals through 11 games for a 3.00 goals-per-game average, which sits in the middle of the pack. The defense, on the other hand, has been the biggest problem. 

The Canucks have allowed a league-high 51 goals, 14 more than the next closest team. Vancouver isn't just among the worst defensive teams in the league, it is significantly the worst, and Detroit will need to take advantage.

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*subject to change*

DeBrincant - Finnie - Brandsegg-Nygard

Danielson - Larkin - Arvidsson

Rasmussen - Copp - Raymond

Dries - Kolesar

Chiarot - Seider

Wallinder - Faulk

Al. Johansson - An. Johansson

Sandin-Pellikka

Tarasov

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