The Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets held morning skates ahead of tonight’s game between the two teams (7 PM on Bally Sports Detroit Plus/Bally Sports Ohio/97.1 FM), and Adam Boqvist is returning to the lineup for Columbus, but Patrik Laine and Max Domi remain sidelined; for the Red Wings, Joe Veleno will slot into the 4th line center’s spot.
After the morning skate, Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill spoke with the media in Columbus:
Jeff Blashill said Mitchell Stephens will miss some time and his going to see a specialist tomorrow. Not sure when he’ll have an exact timeline. #LGRW @DetroitRedWings— Daniella Bruce (@daniellabruce_) November 15, 2021
Wonky internet this morning at NWA….Veleno was skating with Rowney/Gagner. And one tweak on power play, Zadina and Fabbri switching units. Everything else status quo #RedWings— Ted Kulfan (@tkulfan) November 15, 2021
For what it’s worth, NHL.com’s also hyping tonight’s game in article form:
Raymond, Seider exciting to watch for Red Wings: How about those Detroit Red Wings? Things are looking up after five straight seasons out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It’s early, but the Red Wings have won four of five (4-1-0) and are in the thick of the Atlantic Division race entering their game at the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday (7 p.m. ET; BSOH, BSDET+, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). There have been plenty of good storylines, but none more exciting than forward Lucas Raymond and defenseman Moritz Seider, two key parts of Detroit’s present and future. Raymond, the No. 4 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, leads NHL rookies with 15 points (six goals, nine assists) in 16 games. Seider, the No. 6 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, is second with 12 points (two goals, 10 assists). — Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist
Bjorkstrand leads resurgence in Columbus: I love the resurgence of the Red Wings with their young stars and hope for the future. But I’m equally intrigued by the Blue Jackets, who are performing better than expected so far this season, even coming off two consecutive losses. They’ve been led by forward Oliver Bjorkstrand, who has scored 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) in 12 games, including six (two goals, four assists) in a five-game point streak. Add him to defenseman Zach Werenski, who is fourth in the NHL averaging 26:12 in ice time per game, and goalie Elvis Merzlikins, who is 5-2-0 with a 2.42 goals-against average and .929 save percentage, and there’s something interesting building in Columbus. — Amalie Benjamin, staff writer
Fun fact (from DetroitHockey.net’s Clark Rasmussen):
Stupid Stat of the Day: The Red Wings have earned at least one standings point in 78% of their games played in Columbus and broadcast on Fox/Bally Sports Detroit Plus. pic.twitter.com/1ZoEhgkTho— DetroitHockey.Net (@detroithockey96) November 15, 2021
Lots of eyes will be on tonight’s game as it’s only one of two to be played in the NHL this evening…
The @NYIslanders and @TBLightning are set to face off tonight for the first time since the 2021 #StanleyCup Semifinals!
Who are you taking? pic.twitter.com/QvnCsf1YNj— NHL (@NHL) November 15, 2021
And tomorrow, the Red Wings will play in Dallas on ESPN+ only (at 8:30 PM EST).
