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It's been three games and three losses for the Detroit Red Wings, who disappointed on Sunday afternoon in front of a sold-out Little Caesars Arena crowd against the Chicago Blackhawks. 

Not only did the Red Wings once again not convert on multiple scoring opportunities, but they badly lost the special teams battle. The Blackhawks scored on all three power-play opportunities, while the Red Wings failed to do so on all five of their chances. 

Perhaps the biggest turning point of the afternoon was when the Red Wings barely generated any sustained offensive zone pressure during a four-minute power-play chance near the end of the game's middle frame. 

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Not only has Detroit's power-play slipped to the middle of the pack in the NHL, but their penalty killing, which had been vastly improved in the early goings of the campaign, has now also begun to sputter. 

"A game ago, we got scored on once and it was a back-check and a sort out," head coach Todd McLellan said about the goals Detroit surrendered while shorthandedl. "That can't happen.  The first goal, we had a clearing opportunity with a two-on-one, and we didn't get it out." 

"The third power-play goal, a walkout from below the goal line, we have the tools to take care of that and we just didn't get it done," he continued. "Much like our game right now where our power-play is scrambling, our penalty kill needs a polish up." 

The Red Wings have now scored just two goals in their last three combined games, which included a shutout loss against the powerful Vegas Golden Knights in Sin City.

They had no shortage of opportunities on Sunday with a total of 45 shots, but many of them were from distance and unscreened that goaltender Arvid Soderblom had no trouble with. 

Is putting an emphasis on scoring the greasy, garbage-style goals in close proximity to the net the cure for what ails Detroit right now? 

"You'd like to think so, but it has to happen first and then we'll see," McLellan said. "We’ve always been a pretty good entry team, make the plays and score off them. Those chances we can create. It’s the grind time, it’s the cycle time, it’s the grunt time, if you want to put it that way, where you really gotta dig in. We need to be better in those areas.”

One notable lineup switch that the Red Wings made before Sunday's game was the NHL debut of 2023 first-round draft pick Nate Danielson, who likely would have made the roster out of Training Camp had it not been for an injury. 

Lineup Shuffles Fail To Spark Red Wings, Offense Scores Just Six Goals in Last Five GamesLineup shuffles can't solve Red Wings' scoring drought. Injuries and slumps plague the offense, leaving fans searching for answers beyond Dylan Larkin.

Will there be additional changes prior to Thursday's contest? Don't be surprised, according to McLellan. 

“There will be a lot of discussions over the next few days of what we do with the units,” McLellan said.

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MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Hunter Skinner had some trials and tribulations on Sunday treking his way to St. Louis from Springfield, Mass. with plane delays, but now that the defenseman is here, the focus came along with it.

Skinner was called up from Springfield of the American Hockey League when the St. Louis Blues assigned Logan Mailloux to the Thunderbirds. The 24-year-old will be the seventh defenseman – for the time being – and just fit in any way he can after an extended training camp here in September.

“I feel good today, ready to go,” Skinner said. “Just come up here, put a smile on my face, work hard. Like I said before in camp, work hard, show them what I have, bring them what I can do to the table.”

Skinner, acquired from the New York Rangers with Sammy Blais in the trade that sent Vladimir Tarasenko and Niko Mikkola to New York on Feb. 9, 2023, has 203 games’ worth of AHL experience, including 157 the past three-plus seasons with the Thunderbirds, will do whatever is necessary and asked of him.

“I’m just going to wait on that call to get the nod to go in and if I do, make the best of my opportunity,” Skinner said. “Energy, physicality, I want to bring that to the best of my ability, honestly. Hopefully that can help turn some tides.”

Skinner, who mentioned in training camp he grew up as a forward, had career-highs in goals (eight), assists (15) and points (23) with Springfield last season and certainly grew on the coaching staff, which recognized the “energy, physicality, attitude,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. “Plus he has a lot of confidence and poise with the puck. I don’t think people would describe him that way.”

* Is Sundqvist coming in, Bjugstad going out? – Monday’s practice lines had Oskar Sundqvist centering the Blues’ fourth line flanked by Alexey Toropchenko and Nathan Walker. That spot had been occupied of late by Nick Bjugstad, who was the extra with Alexandre Texier.

Sundqvist has been a healthy scratch the past two games and could be a case of getting him back in the mix somewhere. But could it be at the expense of Bjugstad, who has been solid with the Blues since signing this past simmer?

“It’s more about getting Sunny into the lineup. It’s not dead set that that’s the lineup for tomorrow,” Montgomery said of a matchup with the Calgary Flames. “Bjugstad, what I love is he’s a great pro. He’s done really good things, and he was really good in practice today. He’s going to be hard to take out.”

* Dvorsky gets shot with Kyrou, Holloway – It was the line that galvanized the Blues’ season down the stretch last season with Brayden Schenn between Dylan Holloway on the left and Jordan Kyrou on the right.

And while that combination hasn’t been used often – yet – this season, it will be Dalibor Dvorsky’s turn there on Tuesday.

“They’re going to have to take care of Dvorsky,” Montgomery said of Kyrou and Holloway. “Schenn was taking care of them last year. Now it’s on them to be leaders and take a young guy under their wing who’s got incredible potential who’s played really good hockey for us. You want to see if there’s a spark there, if there’s some chemistry.”

In the meantime, Schenn once again has altered a role that best suits a team. And playing on the wing.

“I thought he’s played really well outside of the Washington game, but that was the whole team laying an egg in Washington,” Montgomery said of Schenn. “I think he’s been getting more opportunities offensively, and defensively he’s done a good job as a winger.”

* Joseph takes tumble in practice – Mathieu Joseph was able to finish practice on Tuesday but not without a bit of pain.

The forward collided and fell along the boards during a drill, compromising something with his lower body that needed some rest and attention by the Blues’ training staff on the bench.

Joseph, who’s off to a real solid start to the season, was able to finish the practice and seemed fine in the locker room afterwards.

“I didn’t check with the trainers to see where he’s at,” Montgomery said. “We’ll have an update tomorrow.”

St. Louis Blues Prospect Report (Nov. 9, 2025)Tomas Mrsic starting to feel the scoring after adjustment at Colorado College; Adam Jiricek's offense highlighting his season at Brantford; Matvei Korotky injured in Russia

Logan Mailloux Can Always Lean On Blues Teammate Who Knows What It's Like To Break Into NHLTyler Tucker knows pipeline between Springfield, St. Louis in efforts to crack NHL lineup, finally doing it last year after almost three years of ups, downs

Blues Already Moved Past Saturday's ControversyGoalie interference call that wasn't made allowed Seattle to tie it late, win in OT; Sunday's practice was more geared towards pushing each other to be better, end with bag skate

Blues Assign Mailloux To Springfield, Recall SkinnerDefenseman acquired from Canadiens for Zack Bolduc will go down to AHL, play big minutes, variety of roles and get a "reset," GM said

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The Detroit Red Wings have lost four of their last five games, raising growing concerns about their offense after scoring just six goals during that stretch. Several players are struggling to find their rhythm, and expectations not being met.

Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) on XFinal

Forward Marco Kasper had his late-season breakout last year that gave many the belief that the youngster would be able to build on that success with the help of veterans Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane on his line. 

The hope was that Kasper would produce points while developing into one of the most important positions in hockey right now as a second-line center. That has not materialized, as Kasper has just three goals and no assists through 16 games and has been moved out of the top six to the third line. In Sunday’s loss to the Blackhawks, he shifted to left wing to play alongside Mason Appleton and rookie Nate Danielson, who made his NHL debut.

Once again, the only line able to generate offense was the top unit as center Dylan Larkin scored to tie the game at 1–1 before Chicago responded with four unanswered goals. Relying so heavily on one line will not be enough in today’s NHL and the Red Wings appeared to have that depth scoring early on, but several players have cooled off.

Head coach Todd McLellan made adjustments, promoting J.T. Compher to second-line center. Compher, a former 50-point player, could solidify that spot if he can build on his recent success, including a goal in Detroit’s 4–1 loss to the New York Rangers last Friday. The hope is that his presence can help elevate the DeBrincat–Kane duo into a status similar to early this season, when the two were helping Detroit win games. They saw their chances in the loss with nine shots on net but couldn't muster up a much-needed goal. 

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Red Wings Prospect Nate Danielson Impresses in NHL DebutDespite a scoreless NHL debut, Nate Danielson showcased tenacious play, creating chances and limiting opponents' offensive pressure.

The bottom of the lineup has seen significant changes with rookie Nate Danielson centering the third line, which has pushed other players out of the rotation. Fellow rookie forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, who began the season with the team, is back to the AHL to continue his development as roster space tightens and likely won't be back till next season. 

This competition mainly impacts forwards like Michael Rasmussen, Elmer Soderblom, and Jonatan Berggren, who are battling for a single available roster spot as it's unlikely that veterans Andrew Copp or James van Riemsdyk will be scratched from the fourth line. Soderblom earned the start on Sunday, but that could change as McLellan looks for the right combination. The Red Wings may also explore trade options for Berggren, a 25-year-old former second-round pick who still holds value around the league.

Detroit’s recent struggles and frequent lineup changes have made it difficult for players to build chemistry. Moving forward, the team hopes to stabilize its lines, make only minor adjustments, and ensure that depth players still get ice time. Above all, the Red Wings need more consistent production throughout the lineup if they want to prove they are legitimate contenders and not just an early-season surprise. Hopefully the lineup adjustments can prove to make a difference or the team will need to start exploring other options. 

Projected Detroit Red Wings Lineup (Nov. 13 vs. Anaheim Ducks)

Emmitt Finnie - Dylan Larkin - Lucas Raymond

Alex DeBrincat - J.T. Compher - Patrick Kane

Marco Kasper - Nate Danielson - Patrick Kane

Elmer Soderblom - Andrew Copp - James van Riemsdyk

Simon Edvinsson - Moritz Seider

Ben Chiarot - Axel Sandin-Pellikka

Albert Johansson - Travis Hamonic 

Cam Talbot

John Gibson

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