There’s a fresh vibe in the Detroit Red Wings’ locker room!
According to head coach Todd McLellan, who will be facing off against his former team, “The biggest change is the growing belief within the team. I’m not exactly sure how we reached this point of confidence, but we just started tackling different challenges and putting in the effort.”
Since McLellan took over from Derek Lalonde, the Red Wings have achieved an impressive 7-2-0 record at home, making their upcoming game against the Kings on Monday even more significant.
As the team prepares for a four-game road trip midweek, they will only have one more home game before a two-week break for the 4 Nations Face-Off. The Red Wings are on a two-game winning streak, having recently showcased a season-high 45 shots in a 4-2 victory against the Montreal Canadiens, followed by a shutout win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Goalie Cam Talbot, who recorded a 28-save shutout, emphasized their versatility: “We can win games in different ways right now, whether it’s by scoring five or six goals or grinding out a tight win. This gives us immense confidence, especially against a team like that after they put it to us in their arena last week. It speaks to our mental toughness as a group, especially at this time of year.”
Another notable change since McLellan’s arrival is the increased opportunities for younger players. Rookie Marco Kasper has stepped up to the first line, netting five goals in his last nine games, including a game-winner on Saturday. Likewise, rookie defenseman Albert Johansson made his mark with seven blocked shots against Tampa Bay.
The Kings, on the other hand, have struggled recently, going 2-4-1 in their last seven games, including a 3-2 overtime loss to Columbus on Saturday that started a tough five-game road trip. Quinton Byfield scored in the final minute to tie the game, but coach Jim Hiller expressed disappointment: “It was a game we should have won. I thought we deserved it, but it’s been a familiar story for us.”
The Kings dominated in shots against the Blue Jackets, outshooting them 33-24. Phillip Danault, who contributed to the scoring, echoed his teammates: “We definitely played well enough to win, but they’ve got some skilled players too.”
Currently sitting third in the Pacific Division with an 11-11-5 road record, the Kings will look to improve their performance against the Red Wings, who they beat 4-1 in their first encounter on November 16, with Adrian Kempe scoring twice. David Rittich only had to make 17 saves in that decisive win.
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