Preview: Red Wings look to complete season sweep of San Jose

The Detroit Red Wings will wrap up their three-game west coast road trip on Tuesday, facing off against a team they defeated just seven days ago.
Detroit will take on the San Jose Sharks at the SAP Center beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT. The game will be carried on ESPN+ and Hulu, in addition to the Red Wings Radio Network.

When speaking to the media on Tuesday, defenseman Gustav Lindstrom discussed the similarities between his individual play and the club's performance this season.
"I think it's been like the team, a little bit up and down. It's been alright," Lindstrom said. "Just trying to get better every day and play as good as possible. A little bit up and down, but I'm kind of happy with how I've played so far, but of course I can play even better."

The Red Wings played well against San Jose and pulled away, 6-2, on Jan. 4 at Little Caesars Arena. Four different Wings player scored goals, including two each from Pius Suter and Tyler Bertuzzi.
Detroit has dropped a pair of decisions on its west coast road trip, including a convincing 4-0 loss against the Los Angeles Kings last Saturday. One day later, the Wings matched Anaheim through regulation and overtime before falling (4-3) in just their second shootout of the season.
As Detroit searches for its fifth road win, coach Jeff Blashill wants the Red Wings to make good use of their chances.
"Chances kind of take the emotion out of it, of the wins and losses, and can tell you how you really played," Blashill said. "That can be true when you don't win, and it can be true when you win…We certainly talk with our guys about that part of it and about that process part that chances are. "

Detroit is 16-16-4 this season and 4-11-2 on the road. Against the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday, the Wings earned a point in an eventual 4-3 shootout loss.
San Jose heads into Tuesday's game with a 19-16-1 overall record (39 points) and has won its past two contests. In those games, the Sharks combined for six goals and held the Philadelphia Flyers and Buffalo Sabres to just two goals each.
Timo Meier continues to lead San Jose with 38 points on 14 goals and 24 assists. Tomas Hertl has tallied 31 points, while Brent Burns has 23 points with four goals and 19 assists.
Goalie James Reimer, who gave up four goals on 24 shots against the Red Wings last week, continues to deal with a lower-body injury and will not be available Tuesday. That sets up Adin Hill in net, who has averaged a .942 save percentage in his last two starts.

Bertuzzi expected to suit up, Larkin remains out

Blashill said he expects Tyler Bertuzzi to play against the Sharks.
The 26-year-old winger participated in morning skate at the SAP Center on Tuesday. Bertuzzi's wrist was cut by Trevor Zegras' skate blade in overtime of Sunday's game against the Ducks.
Dylan Larkin isn't expected to play tonight, but could return on Thursday at home against the Winnipeg Jets.
"I never necessarily thought it was long term. But with injuries, you don't know," Blashill said. "Right now, my thought is that he could be available for Thursday, but we will see."
The Red Wings captain suffered an upper body injury in the first period against Anaheim.

Blashill plans to use Lidstrom as resource

On Tuesday, the Red Wings announced the hiring of former defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom as Vice President of Hockey Operations. It's a move that has generated a lot of buzz in Hockeytown, and Blashill plans to take full advantage of Lidstrom's knowledge.
"Nick was always a real, obviously was a very cerebral, player and sees the game as probably as well as anybody ever saw the game," Blashill said. "Anytime you get an opportunity to use those types of great resources, you definitely should, and I will."