Red Wings Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines- Kane Nearing History, Return Home and More – The Hockey Writers – Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings head into this week (Jan. 26- Feb.1) returning home from their three-game road trip. In those three games, the Red Wings took five of six possible points, dropping their matchup against the Minnesota Wild on Jan.22 in overtime. In their win against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Jan.21, Dylan Larkin tied Sergei Fedorov for most overtime goals in the organization’s history (12). Looking ahead to this week, the Red Wings have three games on the schedule, all at home.

Managing Without Edvinsson

Simon Edvinsson went down with an injury and was a late scratch for the Red Wings’ matchup against the Wild, and did not play against the Winnipeg Jets on Jan. 24. His absence in the lineup will be something to keep an eye on throughout the week. The young Swedish-born defenseman has been one of the Red Wings’ most consistent defensemen alongside Moritz Seider, and he is certainly going to be missed in the lineup.

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In the two games without Edvinsson in the lineup, the Red Wings have relied more on Jacob Bernard-Docker and Travis Hamonic in the lineup. If Edvinsson is to be out long-term, which is yet to be determined, general manager (GM) Steve Yzerman and head coach Todd McLellan will need to get more out of their other defensemen or possibly make a move for another one. The performances of players like Bernard-Docker, Axel Sandin Pelikka, and Hamonic will be closely watched in the three games this upcoming week. Albert Johansson will also need to keep his strong play up as he looks to further entrench himself for the future.

Kane Closing in On History

After reaching 500 career goals earlier this month, Patrick Kane continues to work towards more history as an American-born player. After only recording one point this past week, he currently sits one point behind Mike Modano for most points in NHL history for a US-born player. With three games this week, there should be a strong chance that he at least ties the record, if not surpasses Modano.

If Kane has not already solidified himself as the best American-born player in the league’s history, he will certainly do so by moving into first place in points whenever he does reach that career accomplishment.

Returning to Home Ice

After being away from Little Caesars Arena this last week, the Red Wings will look to keep their strong play when they return home this week. There is a strong chance that they can do just that, as they have put up a really strong 18-8-1 record on home ice this season. They will face a tough test when they welcome in their long-time Western Conference rival and the league’s best team, the Colorado Avalanche, on Jan. 31.

To have a successful homestand heading into the Olympic break, the Red Wings will need to keep getting strong goaltending from John Gibson and Cam Talbot. Gibson has become one of the team’s biggest x-factors since the beginning of the 2026 calendar year and has been one of the league’s best netminders in that span. They will also need strong showings from their defensive grouping, taking on the aforementioned Avalanche and the Washington Capitals, both of whom have strong offenses.

Red Wings Schedule Jan. 26- Feb. 1