Red Wings Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines- Kane, DeBrincat Stepping Up, Sandin-Pellikka Dilemma & More – The Hockey Writers – Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings continue to find themselves in a playoff spot heading into this upcoming week (March 23-29), even with having struggles when it comes to injuries and pulling off victories in the month of March. As they head into this week, they have a tough three games, including two against teams they are battling with for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Sandin-Pellikka Dilemma

When Axel Sandin-Pellikka made the opening night roster this season there was plenty of hope and expectations for the young Swedish-born defenseman. There have been plenty of growing pains throughout his rookie season as expected, but he has also shown flashes of the player who dominated the international scene at the World Junior Championship (WJC) for Sweden.

But since the trade deadline, where the Red Wings added Justin Faulk, Sandin-Pellikka has only played in one game and has been healthy scratched for seven straight games. Head coach Todd McLellan has his set six defensemen it seems that he wants to roll with as the team battles for a playoff spot and Sandin-Pellikka finds himself on the outside looking in. The situation is something that fans have kept a close eye on and it could very well end up with the young defenseman being sent to Grand Rapids (American Hockey League) so he can get quality playing time.

Special Team Struggles Continue

At the beginning of the season, the Red Wings had success on both of their special teams units and their power play helped bail the offense out when they were struggling in five-on-five, but as of late, both power play and penalty kill have been coming up short. Since the trade deadline, the power play has only been converting at a 16% clip (21st in the NHL), and the penalty kill sits at 75% since then (26th).

With the firepower that the team has in Alex DeBrincat, Lucas Raymond, and Patrick Kane, the power play needs to be able to step up to the point where they are at least an average unit again. The penalty kill comes down to overall defense and goaltending lacking at times and at this point of the season, they need all three aspects of their game on track (power play, penalty kill, and five-on-five) if they want to have a shot at snapping their playoff drought.

Related: Red Wings’ Remarkably Healthy Season Is Catching Up to Them

Against both the Ottawa Senators (March 24), and the Buffalo Sabres (March 26), the Red Wings will be going up against special teams units that have been solid since the deadline. The Senators have a penalty kill that has been successful 87% of the time, while the Sabres have a power play that has been potent, sitting at 28.6% (fourth in the NHL). On the flip side, the Philadelphia Flyers have the second-worst power play and penalty kill in the league in the month of March. Finding a way to get things going on both special teams units is going to be one of the biggest keys for the Red Wings this week.

DeBrincat & Kane Stepping Up at Crucial Time

While the power play has not been at the top of it’s game in the month of March, both DeBrincat and Kane have stepped up their games in the offensive zone with the absence of captain Dylan Larkin. They have had plenty of chances on the power play, and are a big reason why the power play has had the limited success it has had. DeBrincat has gotten himself rolling, taking a six-game point streak into this week. The only issue with his game is his streakiness in the goal-scoring department. If he can find the hot streak this week, it will go a long way toward a successful week for the team. With the way he has been playing, he very well could be in line for an extension this offseason.

DeBrincat’s running mate, Kane has reminded everyone exactly why he has been apart of winning three Stanley Cup’s in his career, as he has stepped his game up in a big way since the trade deadline. He has recorded a point in seven of the eight games since the deadline and has helped lessen the blow of missing the aforementioned Larkin and Andrew Copp when he was out with injury. He comes into the week on a three-game point streak. Both of these players are going to be a big reason whether or not the Red Wings have a successful week.

Red Wings Schedule March 23-29