Detroit Red Wings Face Major Depth Test at Center Against Red-Hot Minnesota Wild

The Detroit Red Wings head into Tuesday’s matchup against the Minnesota Wild in Saint Paul, Minnesota, facing a serious depth challenge at center.

With Andrew Copp (injury) and Michael Rasmussen (head injury) ruled out, Detroit will need to shuffle its lineup and rely on new faces to step up.

This comes as Detroit seeks revenge after falling 4-3 in overtime to Minnesota on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Wild are rolling, riding a three-game winning streak and having won six of their last eight.

RED WINGS LOSE TWO KEY CENTERS, SCRAMBLE FOR ANSWERS

Andrew Copp was placed on injured reserve after suffering an undisclosed injury on Saturday, while Michael Rasmussen was knocked out of Sunday’s game against Anaheim after taking a high hit from Trevor Zegras. The NHL suspended Zegras for three games on Monday.

With two key centers sidelined, head coach Todd McLellan is shaking up the lineup, with Christian Fischer and Tyler Motte expected to take on larger roles.

Additionally, Detroit called up veteran center Sheldon Dries from AHL Grand Rapids. The 30-year-old forward has played in 122 career NHL games and will be making his Red Wings debut if he suits up.

McLellan remains optimistic despite the roster shake-up:

“An unfortunate thing for one leads to an opportunity for the other,” he said. “We have what we have, and we have enough.”

MINNESOTA WILD STAY HOT DESPITE LOSING KIRILL KAPRIZOV

The Wild have been surging, but they’ve done it without their biggest star.

Kirill Kaprizov (lower-body injury) remains sidelined, yet Minnesota hasn’t skipped a beat. Defenseman Brock Faber and forward Matt Boldy have stepped up in a big way, carrying momentum from their standout performances in the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Tuesday will be Faber and Boldy’s first game back in Minnesota since starring on the international stage for Team USA.

Wild head coach John Hynes praised their leadership:

“It was nice to see (Faber) respond like that in a high-stakes environment, playing against the best and being relied upon five-on-five and on the penalty kill,” Hynes said. “He and (Boldy) both did a good job and really got better and better as the tournament went on.”

Minnesota is looking to extend its winning streak to four games and continue closing in on a Western Conference playoff spot.

RED WINGS & WILD LEADERS: WHO WILL STEP UP?

Detroit’s Top Performers:

Lucas Raymond – 63 points (22 goals, 41 assists) in 57 games
Dylan Larkin – 53 points (24 goals, 29 assists) in 57 games
Alex DeBrincat – 49 points (26 goals, 23 assists) in 57 games

Minnesota’s Top Performers:

Kirill Kaprizov (OUT) – Team-leading 61 points (27 goals, 34 assists) in 56 games
Matt Boldy – 50 points (21 goals, 29 assists) in 57 games
Marco Rossi – 49 points (20 goals, 29 assists) in 57 games

Both teams feature balanced scoring, and with Kaprizov missing, Minnesota will rely heavily on Boldy, Rossi, and their defense to generate offense.

GOALTENDING MATCHUP: WHO GETS THE NOD?

Minnesota Wild (Expected Starter: Filip Gustavsson)

Record: 22-11-3
Goals Against Average (GAA): 2.63
Save Percentage: .915

Detroit Red Wings (Expected Starter: Cam Talbot or Alex Lyon)

Cam Talbot: 16-11-3, 2.88 GAA, .906 SV%
Alex Lyon: 11-6-1, 2.74 GAA, .902 SV%

Detroit will need strong goaltending to keep up with Minnesota, especially with key forwards missing.

Adding to the shake-up in net, the Red Wings traded Ville Husso to Anaheim on Monday for future considerations. Husso had struggled this season (1-5-2, 3.69 GAA, .866 SV% in 9 games), but his departure means Detroit’s goaltending duo is now set with Talbot and Lyon.

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WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Detroit looks to overcome major injuries and steal a win on the road.
Minnesota aims to stay hot and extend its winning streak to four.
Brock Faber and Matt Boldy return home after shining in international play.
Goaltending will be crucial, as both teams deal with lineup adjustments.

With both teams in tight playoff races, expect a hard-fought battle. Will Detroit overcome its injuries, or will the Wild stay red-hot and keep rolling?

Puck drops Tuesday night in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

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