Everything you need to know ahead of tonight's game between the Red Wings and Vegas Golden Knights at Little Caesars Arena
Tonight, the Detroit Red Wings will host the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights at Little Caesars Arena. Here's what you need to know before tonight's game.
Lineup & Injury Updates
With the Pistons playing at noon, the Red Wings took their morning skate at the BELFOR Performance Center rather on the main sheet at LCA. They lined up as they did on Thursday against the Flyers:
Patrick Kane—out since January 14th, when he suffered a lower body injury on just his second shift against the Toronto Maple Leafs—was on the ice for the skate but did not participate in line rushes. After the skate, Derek Lalonde revealed that Kane remains a possibility to play before the All-Star break. That won't happen tonight, but it might on Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators.
Ben Chiarot on the other hand—who has not played since being injured in the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes on the 19th—likely won't be an option for Detroit prior to the break, with Lalonde saying this morning "I don't expect Ben to be back before the break. I think we'll take advantage of the time and hope to see him after the break."
Alex Lyon will start in net for the Red Wings.
The Stanley Cup Champs Descend on Detroit Riding a Hot Streak
The Golden Knights don't just arrive in Detroit as Stanley Cup champions; they do so having won five of their last six, including a 5-2 victory over the New York Rangers last night at Madison Square Garden. With the win yesterday, Vegas improved to 29-14-6, good for second in the Pacific Division.
It's a familiar cast of characters leading the way for the Knights, with Mark Stone, Jack Eichel, and Jonathan Marchessault pacing the team in points with 49, 44, and 40 respectively.
Adin Hill started in goal last night in New York, so it will presumably be Logan Thompson's turn in net tonight. Thompson has been Vegas' primary starter this season, earning a 16-9-4 record on the strength of a 2.73 goals against average and .907 save percentage. Thompson did struggle in his most recent outing on Monday in New Jersey, giving up six goals on 38 shots in an overtime loss to the Devils.
Where to Watch
Tonight's game (an 8 PM start) will be on its usual television home of Bally Sports Detroit. Out of market fans will also have their familiar viewing options: ESPN+ and Hulu.