27 Jan 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Red Wings defender Ben Chiarot (8) and goalkeeper Cam Talbot (39) celebrate after a match against Los Angeles Kings at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-Immagn images The Detroit Red Wings starts a Western turn with four games when they meet the values Edmonton Oilers on Thursday evening.
The red wings and Oilers, who play the second last game in a six-game home, have each won three consecutive matches.
Most recently, Detroit defeated the visiting Los Angeles Kings 5-2, and Edmonton beat Seattle Kraken 4-2, both games on Monday evening.
Lucas Raymond scored his 20th goal of the season and added three assists for the red wings on Monday. It is the third 20-goal season for Raymond, which is in its fourth season and leads Detroit with 56 points in 50 matches.
“Boy, you don’t realize how affecting he is on a game,” said Red Wings coach Todd McLellan about Raymond. “Not always in victories, even in losses, the influence he has on a game night after night after night. So consistent, competitive. Very fire in him and the skill to go with it.”
Detroit is 11-4-1 since McLellan took over as coach on December 26.
Marco Kasper counted two goals and one assist and Alex Debrincat and Elmer Soderblom also scored against the kings. Dylan Larkin had two assists and Cam Talbot made 24 rescues.
It was Soderblom’s first goal of the season. The Wine 6-8, 246 pounds played in his fourth match since he was recalled from Grand Rapids from American Hockey League, where he has played since he had eight points (five goals, three assists) in 21 matches with red wings during the season 20223 .
“I feel that I have grown as a player and I am starting to use my size, my skills and my shot to my advantage,” said the 23-year-old Swede. “I know a little more what it takes, and it feels good.”
In Oilers’ victory on Monday, Connor McDavid made his return from a three-game suspension for cross-checking Vancouver Conor Garland on the helmet on January 18. The winn moved Edmonton to 7-2-0 in his last nine matches.
As usual, both McDavid and teammate Leon Draisaitl are among the NHL’s 10 best scores. Draisaitl has 75 points (35 goals, 40 assists) in 50 matches and McDavid 66 points (21 goals, 45 assists) in 44 matches.
Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch said that his stars’ consistent production has been a big part of the team’s hot line.
“Your best players, McDavid and Leon, set up the numbers they do consistently,” he said.
Defender Mattias Ekholm had a goal and an assist against the Kraken while Backup goalkeeper Calvin Pickard stopped 26 shots in a game he played just because the No. 1 goalkeeper Stuart Skinner was not available because of the birth of his second son, Darcy.
“I knew it was near childhood for him. I got a text he was on his way to the hospital last night, so I went to bed and prepared to play,” said Pickard, who is 9-1-0 in their last 10 starts. “It felt like a similar game day like the rest of them. It was nice, a good win.
Skinner is now back with the team, although defender John Klingberg (hip surgery) is not expected to make his season debut until Saturday.
Red Wings forward Vladimir Tarasenko is also expected back after missing a game of illness. JT Compher (upper body) and Patrick Kane (upper body) are expected to miss the game.
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