Ahead of tonight’s game between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs (7 PM EDT start on Bally Sports Detroit/TSN4/NHL Network, 97.1 FM), both the Red Wings and Maple Leafs released rosters for tonight’s game, and both teams held a morning skate–though the Leafs’ “game group” is not skating this morning.
After the teams’ morning skates, the respective teams spoke with the media, and the Red Wings posted a video of coach Derek Lalonde and forward Klim Kostin’s pre-game remarks:
MLive’s Ansar Khan posted a morning skate-related article…
The Detroit Red Wings wrap up the preseason tonight against Toronto at Little Caesars Arena (7 p.m., Bally Sports Detroit) with potentially the same lineup they will dress in the regular season opener Thursday at New Jersey.
“Want the guys to be emotionally engaged (in the preseason),” coach Derek Lalonde said. “It’s hard. That’s reality. I don’t think it’s right or wrong, but you saw us on Wednesday in Pittsburgh playing a predominantly American Hockey League team with a predominantly NHL lineup and they gave us fits because they outworked us. You saw it (Thursday). Our American Hockey League team gave Toronto’s players fits because our guys worked hard. I’m sure Toronto will do the same to us (tonight).
“Guys are playing for jobs. These experienced NHL veterans usually take what they need out of the exhibitions. I won’t put a whole lot of stock into (tonight). You want to keep buttoning up the structure and some habits we have but start getting emotionally engaged. We’re not good enough to turn it on and off. I want it turned on for (tonight).”
As did Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen:
Coach Derek Lalonde said he wanted to use a regular lineup in his final preseason tune-up before launching the NHL season next week in New Jersey. Lalonde said the only non-regulars he considered playing in the game were those on the bubble to making the team. But when the lineup was announced this morning, youngsters Simon Edvinsson and Nate Danielson were not playing.
Notable absentees in today’s lineup: Jonatan Berggren and Justin Holl . Could Berggren be the 13th forward this season? The Red Wings have seven veteran defensemen and one of them will have to sit out each game. Lalonde may alternate his healthy scratch on defense to rest players, or to prepare his team for specific opponents…
Lalonde said Friday that the Red Wings may not go with eight defensemen this season. “Probably seven, but we’ll see,” he said Friday. ” Right we’re going with 15 and 8… but roster-wise I don’t see us going to eight D to start we have out initial game. But maybe. Everything is on the table. Three goalies are on the table, 13 forwards, eight D, everything. But I don’t foresee us going eight.”…
Detroit’s No. 1 goalie Ville Husso will start today. He is expected to play the entire game. The Red Wings want Husso to play 55 to 58 games this season…
