"Keep Moving Forward": Red Wings Begin Two-Game Divisional Road Swing

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The Detroit Red Wings had little choice but to put Saturday afternoon's disappointing collapse against the St. Louis Blues behind them as they prepare for a two-game road trip, beginning Monday night with a divisional matchup against the Florida Panthers.

The Red Wings carried a two-goal lead into the third period but ultimately let up, suffering a 5-4 defeat.

For a team like Detroit, where every point in the standings matters, those are opportunities it simply cannot afford to waste. Head coach Todd McLellan said the issues were addressed internally, with an emphasis on learning from the mistakes and making sure they don't happen again.

"We didn't let it slide; we met, and we talked about it, and we want to see some things change in those situations again," McLellan said on Monday. "It was a strange game because we played so well for so long, but we gave it back." 

Things won't get easier for the Red Wings, who face the Panthers on Monday and then the Lightning on Tuesday. 

"We have to keep moving forward," McLellan said. "We'll have our hands full in these next two, but we'll take them one at a time. This team is really confident right now, Florida. They play a very aggressive pinch game, and we'll have to start well and handle that." 

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The Red Wings are implementing a new neutral-zone system that players are still adjusting to early in the season. For McLellan, the goal is to create more offensive-zone opportunities, which can have a broader impact on the team's overall mindset throughout a game.

"We spent too much time in the D-zone last year, we're trying to flip the script a little bit to spend more time on the O-zone," McLellan said. "In my mind, you expend a lot more energy on offense. You just feel better, you feel more confident, you feel like you're in control of the game.

And when we get those extended shifts, everyone perks up and gets excited. The fatigue factor isn't as great in those moments." 

For Monday's game, the Red Wings announced that forward John Leonard, who was called up from the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins, will play in place of Nate Danielson.

Additionally, former Panthers goaltender Daniil Tarasov returns to the net and will start against his old teammates for Detroit. 

The Red Wings will face-off against the Panthers starting at 7:00 p.m. ET. 

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