The Detroit Red Wings (27-15-4) are home today to retire Sergei Fedorov’s number and play an important game against the Carolina Hurricanes (28-14-3). The Red Wings are in first place in the Atlantic Division, while Carolina leads the Metropolitan Division
Where: Little Caesars Arena
When: 7 p.m. ET (Gates open at 4:20 p.m.. Ceremony at 5:40)
TV/Radio: FanDuel Sports Network/97.1 FM
Odds: Carolina (-1.5, +170), Detroit (+1.5, -206).
Hot: Left wing James van Riemsdyk has a goal and five assists, and is plus-5, in his past three games
Not: Defenseman Travis Hamonic has only played three games since Dec. 10
Spotlight: Andrew Copp has four goals and 10 points in his past 11 games.
Story: The top spot in the Eastern Conference is on the line tonight. . . Coach Todd McLellan didn’t say who is starting in goal tonight. . . If it’s John Gibson, it will be his fifth consecutive game. He was named the NHL’s No. 2 star for last week after going 3-0 with a 1.33 GAA and .955 save percentage. . . Detroit ranks fifth (24.7%) on the power play in the NHL this season and 14th in penalty-killing (80.3%). . . Injuries: None
Detroit Projected Lines
Alex DeBrincat — Andrew Copp — Patrick Kane
Marco Kasper — Dylan Larkin — Emmitt Finnie
James van Riemsdyk — J.T. Compher — Lucas Raymond
Elmer Soderblom — Michael Rasmussen — Mason Appleton
Defense Pairings
Simon Edvinsson — Moritz Seider
Ben Chiarot — Axel Sandin-Pellikka
Albert Johansson– Jacob Bernard-Docker
Subs: Travis Hamonic, Sheldon Dries
Goalies
John Gibson (Cam Talbot backing up) (Unconfirmed projection)
Carolina Hurricanes
Story: The Hurricanes own a four-game winning streak and are 6-4 in their last 10. That includes a 5-2 win against the Red Wings in Raleigh on Dec. 27. . . Carolina ranks sixth in the NHL with a 3.36 goals-per game average. . . The Hurricanes penalty kill ranks 18th (79.2%). . . The Hurricanes are expected to use 11 forwards and seven defensemen tonight because of Carrier’s injury. Injured: Pyotr Kochetkov (lower body), Noah Philp (concussion), William Carrier (undisclosed)
Line Projections
Andrei Svechnikov — Sebastian Aho — Nikolaj Ehlers
Taylor Hall — Logan Stankoven — Jackson Blake
Jordan Martinook — Jordan Staal — Seth Jarvis
Mark Jankowski — Eric Robinson
Defensive Pairings
Jaccob Slavin — Jalen Chatfield
K’Andre Miller — Sean Walker
Shayne Gostisbehere – Alexander Nikishin
Mike Reilly
Frederik Andersen (Brandon Bussi backing up)
Subs: Jesperi Kotkaniemi