DET-PHI

PHILADELPHIA -- Playing their eighth game in 13 days, the Detroit Red Wings will continue a busy December slate as they face the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday night.  

“You try to manage it and ask a little bit of everyone,” head coach Derek Lalonde said about the Red Wings’ current schedule. “I thought (Friday) was a very productive, paced practice. We’ve been planning for this all along. Everyone has these stretches in their schedule. Unfortunately, it came at a time where we had some bodies out and probably a little compounded on the Europe trip.”

Puck drop between Detroit (15-10-4; 34 points) and Philadelphia (16-10-3; 35 points) is set for 7 p.m., with broadcast coverage on Bally Sports Detroit Extra. Ken Kal and Paul Woods will have the call on the Red Wings Radio Network (97.1 The Ticket in Detroit).

The Red Wings are looking to return to the win column after falling to the Carolina Hurricanes, 2-1, on Thursday. Michael Rasmussen scored the lone goal for Detroit, which moved to 7-2-0 this season when allowing two goals or less.

“They’re pretty stingy defensively,” Patrick Kane said about the Hurricanes. “They have good defensemen, a couple star players. But as far as their lineup, they kind of like to grind you out a little bit, not give you anything for free, finish their checks and play man-to-man pretty heavy.”

Kane, who has one goal and one assist through his first five games with the Red Wings, said getting back up to game speed amidst a ‘crazy’ schedule will prove beneficial. The 35-year-old forward signed a one-year deal with Detroit on Nov. 28.

“Probably not the most ideal time to come into a lineup when you’ve missed the first third of the season,” said Kane, who underwent hip resurfacing surgery on June 1. “At the same time, it’s kind of a good way to get thrown into the fire.”

The Red Wings practiced Friday before departing for Philadelphia, and Lalonde said he expects Klim Kostin and J.T. Compher (undisclosed injury) both to return to the lineup on Saturday. Christian Fischer is also expected to play against the Flyers after taking a maintenance day on Friday.

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      Derek Lalonde | Media Availability | 12/15/23

      Entering Saturday with the fifth-best penalty kill in the NHL at 86 percent, Philadelphia extended its point streak to seven straight games on Thursday by defeating the Washington Capitals, 2-1, in a shootout. Travis Konecny leads the Flyers in goals (16) and points (24) this season, while Sean Couturier (seven goals, 14 assists) and Travis Sanheim (four goals, 17 assists) each have 21 points.

      Saturday’s matchup is the first of two games in a six-day span between Detroit and Philadelphia, who will play at Little Caesars Arena next Friday, Dec. 22.

      “I like their blue-collar game,” Lalonde said about the Flyers. “They compete. I think their success has come the right way. They’re battling. We’re in similar spots in the standings and a team we’re going to be battling throughout.”