The Detroit Red Wings begin a four-game western road trip today against the Seattle Kraken, and if they want any tips on handling a lengthy trek, they can ask their opponents.
The Kraken just completed a five-game, nine-day trip that started on Oct. 9 with a 6-3 win in Detroit. Seattle went 3-1-1 away from home, but an 8-3 loss to the Florida Panthers on Saturday did take some of the shine off the success.
“It’s just a good reminder for us that you have to be detailed, and if you’re not, it can slip fast,” Kraken coach Lane Lambert said.
Lucas Raymond of the Detroit Red Wings skates against the San Jose Sharks in Detroit, Michigan on Saturday.
Photo: AFP
Lambert spent part of the team’s Monday practice working on tweaks. While the top six forwards have played well on the power play, Lambert said the Kraken’s third and fourth lines have outperformed them in 5-on-5 situations.
He praised the third line of Kaapo Kakko, Berkly Catton and Shane Wright. The trio collectively have seven goals and 18 points. Kakko, selected No. 2 in the 2019 draft by the New York Rangers, has never had more than 44 points in a season. The Finn has eight already in just nine games.
“They’re confident,” Lambert said of Kakko and his linemates. “They’re using their speed, and they’re playing, to be honest with you, against any line.”
Philipp Grubauer likely would start today as Seattle plays just its third home game this season. The German goalie is 2-0-1 in his last three, including stopping 37 shots in the Kraken’s win at Detroit earlier this month.
Grubauer is 5-1-1 in seven starts against the Red Wings with a 2.40 GAA and a .919 save percentage.
As the Kraken unpack, the Red Wings look forward to their first lengthy trip this season. Coach Todd McLellan’s squad started the season playing seven of its first eight at home.
“We should have a pretty good idea of who we are now and how we have to play,” McLellan said after practice on Monday. “And establishing that game as quick as we possibly can will help us on the road. We don’t get matchups. The energy in the building goes against you, not for you, for the most part. But that happens to every team. We just have to get used to playing there again.”
Since losing to Seattle, the Red Wings have earned points in four straight (2-0-2). They have won two in a row, including a 4-3 shootout victory over the San Jose Sharks.
Forward Alex DeBrincat, who signed a seven-year, US$91 million contract extension with the Red Wings last week, leads the team with five goals and nine points. That includes the goal that forced overtime Saturday with 1:33 left in regulation.
McLellan said J.T. Compher, out due to an undisclosed injury since the first two games of the season, would be on the road trip. However, Mason Appleton, who has not played since Oct. 4 because of an undisclosed injury, and Marco Kasper, on injured reserve with an upper-body injury, would not be.