Our Clients:

Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM

Feb 26, 2025 5:47 pm

Blue Jackets, Red Wings commence critical series

blue jackets red wings

The second game of the Detroit Red Wings’ back-to-back with the Columbus Blue Jackets this week will attract more attention. The first one, in Detroit on Thursday night, will count just as much as in the standings.

Both Eastern Conference teams are in a spirited battle for a playoff berth. The Red Wings currently hold a wild-card spot after going 9-1-1 on their last 11 games. The Blue Jackets are only two points behind Detroit in the standings after winning their last two games.

They’ll square off once again on Saturday night, this time outdoors at Ohio Stadium in Columbus as part of the NHL Stadium Series.

“We’re fighting for that wild card and fighting to move up in our division,” Red Wings goaltender Cam Talbot told the Detroit News. “It’s going to be four big points on the line, an eight-point swing (potentially) one way or another. It just can’t be an experience (of playing the outdoor game), it has to be a game and you have to approach it that way. Business as usual.”

The Red Wings took care of business against Minnesota on Tuesday, rallying from a two-goal deficit to pull out a 3-2 victory. Detroit got two goals from rookie defenseman Simon Edvinsson.

The Red Wings have become increasingly reliant on their young talent since Todd McLellan took over as head coach in late December.

“One, we don’t have a choice because we have a lot of young guys, and they’re very capable of playing,” McLellan said. “We don’t hesitate to put them out there. We feel comfortable with the job they can do and they’re gaining valuable experience. And then secondly, the veterans appreciate them. It’s a two-way street — there’s nothing worse than having an old and a young team divided. I think we have a good mixture of just being a Red Wings team. We don’t talk a lot about young and old, veteran and rookie.”

The Blue Jackets recorded a 6-4 home win over Dallas on Tuesday.

“Every game we’ve got to play like it’s a playoff game to make it in there, and that’s been our goal,” center Adam Fantilli said. “We’ve had that belief in ourselves, so we just want to start the same way we did (Tuesday) and continue that on through the whole game every single night.”

Kirill Marchenko had two goals and an assist to lead the attack. He’s now got a team-high 23 goals and 59 points, second to Zach Werenski (62).

“We’re playing our style every game,” Marchenko said. “We try to play our style every game, and (find) good opportunities to score. Just a fun and nice game (Tuesday). Everybody enjoys this moment, and when you win, you have a lot of fun.”

In the first meeting on Jan. 2, Detroit won on Columbus’ home ice, 5-4. Jonatan Berggren scored the game-winning goal with 36 seconds remaining. Alex DeBrincat contributed a goal and two assists for the Red Wings.

DeBrincat carries a seven-game point streak into Thursday’s game. He has five goals and six assists during that span.

–Field Level Media

You may also like

panthers marchand
Apr 4, 2025 1:09 pm

Brad Marchand still finding footing as Panthers visit Sens

Brad Marchand has only one assist in four games with Florida since being acquired from the Boston Bruins, but the Panthers insist they aren’t concerned entering Saturday afternoon’s game with…

rick pitino
Apr 4, 2025 1:07 pm

Rick Pitino, Bruce Pearl first co-winners of Coach of the Year award

Rick Pitino and Bruce Pearl were named co-winners of The Associated Press men’s college basketball Coach of the Year award on Friday. It was the first tie in voting in…

Dominik Chong Qui
Apr 4, 2025 1:01 pm

Atlanta United sign homegrown D Dominik Chong Qui

Atlanta United announced the signing Friday of homegrown defender Dominik Chong Qui through 2028 with an option for 2029. Chong Qui made his first career MLS start last Sunday against…

More News News

panthers marchand
Apr 4, 2025 1:09 pm

Brad Marchand still finding footing as Panthers visit Sens

Brad Marchand has only one assist in four games with Florida since being acquired from the Boston Bruins, but the Panthers insist they aren’t concerned entering Saturday afternoon’s game with…

rick pitino
Apr 4, 2025 1:07 pm

Rick Pitino, Bruce Pearl first co-winners of Coach of the Year award

Dominik Chong Qui
Apr 4, 2025 1:01 pm

Atlanta United sign homegrown D Dominik Chong Qui

ron rivera
Apr 4, 2025 12:22 pm

Report: Prominent Cal football donors withhold money over Ron Rivera role

rangers devils hischier
Apr 4, 2025 12:20 pm

Rangers seek elusive third straight win, visit rival Devils

Read all
fb-post
advertisment
title-icon

Upcoming events

See all odds