Preview: Red Wings keeping focus on matchup versus Devils

DETROIT -- Aside from the everyday challenges of an 82-game regular season, the Detroit Red Wings and the rest of the NHL are dealing with the uncertainty of COVID-19 as more positive cases spread throughout the league.
Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin admitted it can be hard to keep focused.

"We see what's going on around the league. A couple of guys on our team tested positive," Larkin said. "So human nature is 'geez, when is it going to go through us? What's going to happen?' If anything, that's in my mind and you worry about that. You worry about a possibility of being out for 10 days and missing games."
On Saturday, the Red Wings announced head coach Jeff Blashill, assistant coach Alex Tanguay, Givani Smith, Carter Rowney and Alex Nedeljkovic were placed in the NHL's COVID-19 protocol. Against the Devils, Red Wings assistant coach Doug Houda will be joined behind the bench by Grand Rapids Griffins head coach Ben Simon and assistant coach Todd Krygier.
And while the Red Wings will be without their coach and several players on Saturday, Larkin knows the club can't make any excuses, and needs to remain focused.
"We need more. Our line especially, needs to give up less," Larkin said. "Grind them down low and put them on their heels to start the period. We need to be better on our line."

The Red Wings are set for an 8 p.m. puck drop (Bally Sports Detroit, Red Wings Radio Network) against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night at Little Caesars Arena. Detroit is 14-13-3 overall and is 1-4 in its past five games, but the Wings are 10-3-2 at home this season, good for a tie for third-best in the Eastern Conference.
New Jersey has lost four straight games and enters with an overall record of 10-13-5, good for seventh in the Metropolitan Division. The Devils have also lost five straight games on the road.
Under coach Lindy Ruff, New Jersey has also struggled defensively this season. The Devils have surrendered 3.32 goals per game, the ninth-most in the NHL. In its last three road games, New Jersey has surrendered a combined 18 goals.
Leading the way on offense for the Devils is Jesper Bratt, who has a team-high 24 points on eight goals and 16 assists. Andreas Johnsson (19 points) and Dougie Hamilton (16 points) have combined for 15 goals.
Mackenzie Blackwood has made 15 starts in goal and is 5-6-3 with a .902 save percentage. Former Red Wings goalie Jonathan Bernier is 4-4-1 in 10 appearances for the Devils, but Bernier has been on injured reserve since Dec. 10 with a hip injury.
Saturday's tilt is the first meeting between the Red Wings and Devils this season. Both will face off twice more in April.

Red Wings and Pistons to share Little Caesars Arena on Dec. 18

For the first time ever, there will be an NBA/NHL doubleheader at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday.
At 12 p.m., the Detroit Pistons will host the Houston Rockets. This will be followed by The District Detroit Holiday Happy Hours, Presented by Jack Daniel's, on Columbia Street from 4-8 p.m. before the Red Wings host the Devils.
The Holiday Happy Hours event will feature Jack Daniel's specialty drinks available for purchase, live music, holiday-themed photo opportunities and more. It is free to attend for guests of all ages.

Red Wings vs. Avalanche game on Dec. 20 postponed

The Red Wings' game against the Colorado Avalanche on Monday, Dec. 20 has been postponed due to concerns over rising COVID-19 cases in the Avalanche organization. The game will be made up at a later date, and fans will receive more information as it's communicated by the NHL.