A Red Wings-Lightning game day notebook featuring notes on Jake Walman's return, Nikita Kucherov's offensive brilliance and how this game fits in Detroit's playoff hunt
Jake Walman has been waiting for this moment since the moment he went down against Pittsburgh. The moment he could return, the moment he could
The moment he could steer the ship back on course.
“It sucks being out and then watching the boys battle,” Walman said Monday. “But (I’m) just excited to get back and it’s a big time of the year.”
Big couldn’t begin to describe the occasion of Walman’s return. The Red Wings are in pursuit of a wild card spot, racing Philadelphia ahead and the New York Islanders behind for that final chance to dance for the Stanley Cup. Since Walman’s injury, Detroit has gone 2-2-2 not counting that loss against the Penguins, and they’ve played some solid periods of hockey in that stretch. Now, the task becomes playing winning hockey for the remaining eight games, half of which come against playoff teams.
The Red Wings could be among them if this stretch goes well. Earlier this week, I estimated that they needed seven of their last nine games, and an overtime point against Florida on Saturday helps that cause out. They need a whole lot more to seize any postseason dreams, but Walman joins a revitalized defense corps at the right time to make it happen.
“We’re a dangerous team when we’re hungry and I think we’re all pulling the same direction,” Walman said. “We all want the same thing and it’s fun to watch when guys are battling for each other. And I just want to be a part of it. Doesn’t matter what’s going on right now, everybody’s banged up at some point, but you just want to be a part of these games.”
Such a focus comes as the Red Wings have largely struggled on the road as of late. In their past 10 away games, they’re 1-7-2. That’s not a mark befitting a playoff team, but there’s time to finish on a high note to end the season. Getting a point out of the Panthers on a night that they largely controlled the game made a good start.
“In reality it’s a really good point,” Lalonde said Monday. “We knew we’d be up against it with this road trip, the type of competition we’re playing and we’re going through all playoff teams — three legit Stanley Cup contenders on the road. We haven’t been great on the road of late. Our goal is to scratch and claw for every point.”
In Tampa Bay, that goal won’t change.
The Lineup
With Walman returning, Olli Maatta will be a healthy scratch according to Derek Lalonde. The forward group will stay the same as it was constructed against the Panthers, and he’ll go with Alex Lyon in net.
The intact forward corps is a positive sign after Dylan Larkin suffered a lower body injury against Florida after a point blast hit his left leg near the knee. He played the rest of the Panthers game — albeit in clear pain — and he’ll keep playing in Tampa Bay as the Red Wings claw for a playoff spot.
The importance of Larkin’s play can’t be overstated.
“Not having Dylan on the road, which was a large part of this stretch, is just a different animal. We’re just — not easy to check out — but it’s just different. Now you go Larks, J.T. (Compher), (Andrew) Copp. Instead you’re going (Austin) Czarnik getting more minutes, we had to put Veleno with the centers. It’s just a different animal.”
At morning skate, the Lightning looked like this:
Tampa Bay will start goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, but the backup role will belong to EBUG Kyle Konin. He played club hockey for Grand Valley State in 2019-20, and he also played as an EBUG for the Blues against the Lightning back in 2021.
Kucherov Continues to Impress Lalonde
As a four-year assistant coach in Tampa Bay, Derek Lalonde watched as Nikita Kucherov swept the Hart, Lindsay and Ross trophies in 2019. He also won two Stanley Cups with Kucherov in performances that could’ve won him the Conn Smythe if it weren’t for other teammates’ heroics.
And yet, by golly, Kucherov is still impressing Lalonde with even more success. On pace to shatter his career-high in points with 126 so far this season, Kucherov has found another gear in his 10th season in the NHL.
“I honestly didn't think he could get better and he's improved from where already (he was) at the top of his game,” Lalonde said. “It’s impressive to watch. I shouldn’t be surprised with his work ethic, his mindset, his attitude but watching Saturday, watching the pre-scout back, even when we beat them at home last time, where his game is at his level is at, you gotta hope to limit it and the same on the power play.”
In the past five years, only Connor McDavid (1.67 points per game) has scored more than Kucherov’s 1.48 points per game. His 199 power play points rank third in that span, second only to McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. To say Kucherov has been dominant is an understatement.
Now, Detroit will have to figure out how to limit him — not stop him — and his brilliant offensive contributions. While Lalonde has seen it all from Kucherov, it’s still hard to scheme around him.
Where to Watch
Tonight's game (a 7 p.m. start) can be watched on Bally Sports Detroit Extra, or streamed on its usual streaming homes of ESPN+ and Hulu.
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