The Need to Knows
- Time: 7:00 pm PT
- Place: Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA
- Where to Watch: KHN, KONG, ESPN+, FDSN DET
- Where to Listen: Kraken Audio Network on 93.3 KJR
Know Your Enemy
Todd McLellan, considered for Seattle’s coaching vacancy last spring, has ushered the Detroit Red Wings into an era of success– and the first Wild Card spot. Defeating the Vancouver Canucks in overtime Sunday, the Wings extended their win streak to six games and moved to an impressive 14-4-1 under their new bench boss, hired Dec. 26. If they can stay their present course, Detroit could be playoff bound for the first time since the 2015-16 season.
Since McLellan’s arrival, according to MLive.com, the Wings have gone from scoring 2.59 to 3.39 goals per game, from allowing 3.26 to 2.67 goals per game. And these improvements have only supplemented the strengths of Detroit’s roster that nearly led them to the playoffs last season, namely depth of scoring and power play prowess.
Nine skaters have recorded at least 20 points through 53 games. Lucas Raymond is on track to blow past his career-high in points (72) set last season, leading his team with 57 already this time around. Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat are tied for the team lead in goals (23). Detroit’s power play is converting on 27.1% of chances (fourth-best), masking their league-worst penalty kill (69.5%) well.
Game Preview
The Kraken are intimately familiar with McLellan’s Red Wings seeing as they suffered a 6-2 loss at their hands in their first meeting of the season about three weeks ago. Seattle’s gone 5-6-0 since then, their most recent defeat being a loss to the Calgary Flames Sunday in disastrous fashion. Beating Detroit will require doing so without Ryker Evans, still day-to-day with an upper-body injury according to Dan Bylsma at practice Monday.