Updated at 11:16 AM: The Detroit Red Wings embark upon the most difficult part of their preaseason schedule this evening, when they kick off a stretch of 3 games over the course of less than 36 hours by hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets (7 PM EDT on Bally Sports Detroit Plus/97.1 the Ticket).
The Wings then head to Pittsburgh for a 12 PM-starting matinee game against the Penguins, and they head right back to Little Caesars Arena to host Chicago on Monday (7:30 PM on BSD/97.1 FM), so this is definitely the reason why Detroit’s still carrying such a large roster–they need all those bodies to get through the next three days.
MLive’s Ansar Khan Tweeted out the roster for tonight’s game at 10:34 AM:
#RedWings lineup for tonight’s preseason game vs. Columbus at @LCArena_Detroit 7 pm on Bally Sports Detroit Plus. Looks like Larkin will make preseason debut (on line with Zadina and possibly Raymond) but not Bertuzzi. pic.twitter.com/9BMiaqhPRl— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) October 2, 2021
DetroitRedWings.com’s Ethan Sears checked in…
Dylan Larkin is skating with the Red Wings’ game group this morning— Ethan Sears (@ethan_sears) October 2, 2021
Meanwhile, in Columbus:
#CBJ lines for tonight
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) October 2, 2021
Hofmann-Roslovic-Bemstrom
Danforth-Texier-Foudy
Sikura-Cassels-Meyer
Gaudet-Scott-Slaker
Kukan-Peeke
Carlsson-Bean
Harrington-Sweezey
Svoboda also posted a preview of tonight’s game on ColumbusBlueJackets.com:
The Blue Jackets roster for the team’s fourth preseason game, scheduled for Saturday night in Detroit, will allow another look at many of the team’s top youngsters.
First-round pick Liam Foudy will go at forward along with such players trying to solidify their impact on the squad as Gregory Hofmann, Justin Danforth, Alexandre Texier and Emil Bemstrom. Defensively, players like Andrew Peeke, Scott Harrington, Dean Kukan and Gabriel Carlsson, who are battling to make the opening night roster, also will play against the Red Wings. And in net, Elvis Merzlikins will get his second chance between the pipes this preseason.
The game will be broadcast on 105.7 FM and also be available through the Bally Sports app as well as ESPN+.
After the morning skate…
Jeff Blashill says the plan is for Dylan Larkin to play tonight— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) October 2, 2021
Plan is for Larkin to play tonight— Ethan Sears (@ethan_sears) October 2, 2021
Blashill says Red Wings will start Larkin tonight with Filip Zadina and Lucas Raymond— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) October 2, 2021
#RedWings Blashill said he has to check with medical staff for final clearance but expects Larkin to play tonight, on line with Zadina and Raymond.— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) October 2, 2021
Meanwhile, in Columbus, where the Wings play on Wednesday:
#CBJ Boone Jenner not practicing for a second straight day. On Friday Larsen said he was absent for personal reasons.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) October 2, 2021
Also:
FYI:
#CBJ G Elvis Merzlikins will start tonight vs. Detroit.
Coach Brad Larsen said he could play two periods or the entire game, depending on workload.— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) October 2, 2021