Among the Hockey News’s Sam Stockton’s game-day notes ahead of tonight’s preseason match–up with Washington (7 PM EDT on DetroitRedWings.com/Monumental Sports Network):
The game group for this evening’s trip to D.C. will feature a roughly 50/50 split between established NHLers and youngsters. After the group’s skate, Lalonde noted that the roster Detroit will bring to Washington is deeper than standard first preseason away game fare, but that the Red Wings plan to mix and match a bit with line combinations throughout the evening.
“That first [preseason] game usually ends up being at home, you play your veteran-type players,” Lalonde explained, when asked about who Marco Kasper might play beside this evening. “Obviously we had a strong line-up compared to Pittsburgh the other night, so we’re probably two lines deep NHLers and prospects [again tonight], so we’ll work them in and out with some different centers, sometimes some shifts that take place after special teams. So short answer, you’ll be seeing a lot of different guys on the wing tonight.”
In net, Lalonde announced that the plan will be for Alex Lyon to start and Sebastian Cossa to come on for the back half of the game.
Lalonde noted that he’s seen strides from Cossa since a disappointing performance at the Prospects Tournament, saying: “I thought he had a good camp. Obviously, things didn’t go his way in the rookie tournament, but at the same time, part of growth is handling all those experiences. We were here a year ago talking about how well he played in the rookie tournament. So I think part of that growth is him handling different adversities, and that was one.”
