Detroit News

Tampa – The homecoming couldn’t have come out better for Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde. Returning to the arena where Lalonde was part of a coaching staff that won Stanley Cups and just missed a third, and matching wits against friends Lightning coach Jon Cooper and assistant Jeff Blashill (who Lalonde replaced with the Wings),

Tampa, Fla. — Jon Cooper is good friends with Derek Lalonde and Jeff Blashill. Lalonde and now Blashill have been assistant coaches under Cooper, the two-time Stanley Cup-winning Tampa Bay Lightning head coach. When Lalonde replaced Blashill as head coach of the Red Wings, Cooper wasted little time contacting Blashill and gauging Blashill’s interest in

Tampa, Fla. — For Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde, getting to see his family and being able to sleep in his own bed were terrific things to look forward to after Sunday night’s win over Columbus. The next stop was Tampa, where Lalonde had spent the last four years as an assistant coach and where

Tampa, Fla. — It seemed like old times to a certain extent. Jeff Blashill addressing the media, talking about hockey. But then you noticed the Tampa Bay Lightning gear, and Blashill isn’t the head coach in Tampa, he’s an assistant on Jon Cooper’s staff and was essentially filling in for Cooper Monday afternoon. Also, knowing

Columbus — Usually playing a second game in two nights doesn’t prove successful for teams. There’s often travel involved, that much hockey in 48 hours (or less) is tough on the body, and things seem to get compounded when you’re the road team. But bring it on, say the Red Wings. For the third time

Columbus — Ville Husso is getting the start in net Sunday for the Red Wings again. It’s the back end of a back-to-back, on the road, not even a full 24 hours difference, but it’s Husso starting — and Alex Nedeljkovic watching. “It was a tough decision because of the back-to-back, but the combination of

Detroit – What could have been a successful five-game homestand for the Red Wings turned out to be just average. Vegas scored early Saturday, and never lost control, as it defeated the Wings 4-1. That left the Wings (11-7-5) with a 2-2-1 record on this homestand, earning five of a possible 10 points. Not bad,

Detroit — It’s back on the road again for the Red Wings. After finishing a season-long five-game homestand Saturday against Vegas, the Wings are back on the road beginning Sunday in Columbus. And, as it seems is usually the case these days, it’s going to be another pivotal test for a Wings team that wants

Detroit — The Red Wings will be without forward Tyler Bertuzzi for a lengthy period again. Coach Derek Lalonde said Friday that Bertuzzi underwent surgery for an upper-body injury (believed to be Bertuzzi’s hand) and will be out about six weeks. Bertuzzi was hit in the left hand area by a shot in the third

Detroit — A frustrating, injury-plagued season officially continued Thursday for Tyler Bertuzzi. The Red Wings’ forward was placed on injured reserve Thursday after getting hit on the left hand during Wednesday’s 5-4 shootout loss to Buffalo. The Wings didn’t practice Thursday, so there was no update on how long Bertuzzi will be out, or what

Detroit — The power play hasn’t been nearly the negative issue it’s been for the last several years for the Red Wings. But in Wednesday’s 5-4 shootout loss to Buffalo, the inability to convert with the man-advantage at various junctures likely cost the Red Wings an opportunity for a victory. No more frustrating instance was

Ted Kulfan takes a look at the Red Wings at the one-quarter mark of the season and former Hockey Night in Canada executive director John Shannon is the podcast guest. Kulfan also comments on Steve Yzerman’s interview in the first intermission of the TNT broadcast on Wednesday. The Red Wings’ GM explained the increase in

Detroit − Different type of game, but same frustrating result for the Red Wings. After losing badly to Buffalo on Halloween night, the Wings staged a fine rally Wednesday, forcing overtime, but ultimately lost 5-4 in the shootout. Buffalo’s Jack Quinn was the lone goal scorer in the shootout, clinching the Sabres’ win. David Perron

Detroit — Dylan Larkin is off to a superb start offensively this season. But for coach Derek Lalonde, it’s Larkin’s work on the defensive end, away from the puck, and his commitment to that part of the game that has been such a big factor to the Red Wings’ successful start. Lalonde challenged Larkin in

Detroit — Alex Nedeljkovic has been around pro hockey and played the goalkeeper position long enough that he was even-keeled about the entire situation. Nedeljkovic will start Wednesday against Buffalo, his first start since November 12 in Los Angeles. But there was no added excitement or relief from Nedeljkovic, who understands how goaltending can work

Detroit – There’s little doubt the Toronto Maple Leafs have some world class offensive players, and they certainly showed it Monday against the Red Wings. Many of the Leafs’ stars got on the scoresheet as Toronto rolled to a 4-2 victory over the Red Wings. The loss ended the Wings’ four-game winning streak, while Toronto

Detroit — There’s a definite sense the Red Wings are better, and just one look at the standings will prove that notion correct. Going into Monday’s game, the Wings had a 11-5-4 record (26 points), which was their best 20-game mark since 2010-11 (14-4-2, 30 points). If the playoffs were to begin Monday, yes, the

Detroit — Dylan Larkin was in a good mood Sunday after practice as the media began to stroll into the Red Wings’ locker room. Larkin’s cheerfulness wasn’t surprising. There was, after all, Michigan’s 45-23 victory Saturday over Ohio State, and Larkin being a former Michigan Wolverine. Which also led to Larkin winning a bet with

Detroit — It was one play, but it spoke loudly of what the Red Wings want to be as a hockey team. Filip Hronek was behind his own net Friday when Arizona’s Jack McBain came flying and connected with Hronek near the head area. Not liking what he saw, Michael Rasmussen quickly jumped in and

Detroit — The Red Wings keep stringing together victories. They reached the first-quarter mark of the NHL season Saturday working a little longer, but ultimately defeating the Arizona Coyotes, 4-3, in a shootout. Dylan Larkin scored the lone goal in the shootout, after Arizona had tied the game late in regulation time. Goaltender Ville Husso