While the Detroit Red Wings seem infused with confidence after a 4-1-1 road trip, they also understand those wins came against teams below them in the NHL overall standings.
If the Red Wings want to truly show they have turned the corner, they need to beat teams like the New York Islanders. The Patrick Roy-coached Islanders are one of the NHL’s most improved teams. The Islanders (19-11-3) have won three games in a row to sit sixth in the NHL’s overall standings. The Red Wings are 10th.
More importantly, the Islanders have already downed Red Wings twice, by a 7-2 count on Long Island and 5-0 at Little Caesars Arena.
The Red Wings could make a statement by beating them tonight at LCA.
“We took it on the chin in New York, didn’t play well, came back here, took it on the chin, didn’t play well,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan said. “Now we get our last chance against them, and we’ve all talked about the importance of season series and trying to win those, especially in the East. We obviously can’t do that, but we’d like to at least take some points if we could.”
Red Wings In Case You Missed It
Goalie John Gibson has won five games in a row and was named the NHL’s No. 2 star this week.
Red Wings goaltender John Gibson was named the NHL’s second star of the week. He went 3-0-0 with two shutouts and a .971 save percentage.
Gibson talked with @WXYZDetroit about the successful road trip, and showed off the details in his goalie mask. pic.twitter.com/zR35cXviby
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) December 15, 2025
Remember when Carlo Colaiacovo had his famous face plant at Joe Louis Arena?
Red Wings brass, coaching staff and fans are curious to see what call-up John Leonard can do at the NHL level.
Red Wings Extra
The USHL named Detroit prospect Michal Pradel (75th, 2025) its Goalie of the Week. The Slovak netminder posted back-to-back shutouts for the Tri-City Storm at home against the Muskegon Lumberjacks, improving his record to 9-9-2-1 on the season with a 2.46 GAA and a .916 save percentage. His save percentage is the USHL’s third best. Pradel only needed 12 saves to beat Muskegon 4-0 and made 33 saves to blank the Lumberjacks 3-0 and earn his third shutout of the season on Saturday.
Hockey Now Network
Chicago: Connor Bedard will be missing from the Blackhawks’ lineup until at least January. Chicago Blackhawks.
Colorado: Aarif Deen dives into what the Avalanche NHL trade deadline needs will be. Colorado Avalanche.
Philadelphia: After the Flyers couldn’t make a deal for Quinn Hughes, William James pinpoints five new targets for Philadelphia GM Danny Briere to pursue. Philadelphia Flyers.
Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski writes that for the first time in 15 years, Kris Letang played under 20 minutes for two consecutive games. Pittsburgh Penguins.
