Chicago @ Detroit preview

Chicago at Detroit

Last Meeting ( Nov 6, 2024 ) Detroit 4, Chicago 1

The Detroit Red Wings have moved into the wild-card chase with a five-game winning streak. They'll try to stay hot during a stretch of three home games in the next five days, beginning with a matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night.

In their latest victory on Tuesday, Patrick Kane scored an overtime power-play goal to defeat Ottawa, 3-2.

"We've done our job the last five games to get ourselves in a good spot and we have half a season to keep going," Kane said.

The future Hall of Famer has played a big role in the resurgence. He has four goals and four assists during Detroit's win streak. He contributed just five goals and nine assists in the first 30 games he played this season.

"I'm honored to be his coach, to tell you the truth," coach Todd McLellan said. "You watch him all those years and try to solve him all those years, I'm glad I don't have to do that. His poise with the puck is uncanny and probably (has) an underrated shot. I never gave him enough credit for a shot like that (on which) he scored. He quietly leads, just goes about his business and everybody kind of follows."

The Wings are 5-1 since McLellan replaced Derek Lalonde.

"He's come in and done an incredible job of changing some things, helping us be a little more aggressive in our game and upped the confidence in the room," Kane said. "That's a huge part of it, right?"

Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat have also ramped up their production during the streak. Larkin has five goals and three assists while DeBrincat has four goals and four assists. Larkin carries a four-game goal streak into Friday's game.

The Blackhawks have won two of their last three games following a five-game losing streak. They defeated Colorado 3-1 on Wednesday as Petr Mrazek -- a former Red Wing -- made 35 saves.

Mrazek had gone winless in his last six starts, giving up 27 goals in those contests. His last victory came on Nov. 27.

"Long time no win," said Mrazek, who missed a week in December due to a groin injury. "After I came back from injury, I haven't got a win. Early on, I saw a lot of pucks, so that was the key for me (Wednesday). I just was battling since I returned, every day on the ice, in the practice, in the game. I knew I could make some saves, and I knew there was going to be a game that I could prove I can still play the game."

Franchise player Connor Bedard extended his career-best point streak to eight games with a goal and an assist. Frank Nazar, playing in his 12th game this season, scored his first goal in 2024-25 and the second of his career.

"Yeah, it feels really good," Nazar said. "Just to be able to get that win, too, is a big part of it. Obviously, a goal doesn't really mean much if we don't get that win, so it's a good team effort."

Detroit won the first meeting between the Original Six franchises, 4-1 in Chicago on Nov. 6. Larkin and DeBrincat had a goal and an assist apiece.

--Field Level Media