Artem Zub (concussion) will make his return from a nine-game absence on Thursday against the New York Islanders, resulting in Bernard-Docker being a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Bernard-Docker averaged 14:17 time-on-ice and scored two points (0G / 2A) in nine games.
Zach Aston-Reese will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing van Riemsdyk to return to the lineup after being sidelined for one game. The 35-year-old van Riemsdyk has four points (2G / 2A) in 10 games with the Blue Jackets.
The Red Wings snapped a three-game losing skid in their previous contest, courtesy of a 31-save performance (.969 SV%) by Talbot in a 2-1 win over the Sabres, and will turn to Talbot for a second consecutive start on Wednesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 37-year-old Talbot has a 2.73 GAA and .923 SV% in six games this season (3-1-1) and has strung together three consecutive quality performances (2-0-1), posting a .934 SV%.
Holl will be replaced by Erik Gustafsson and sit as a healthy scratch for the second time in three games. Holl has just one assist in seven games this season.
Gustafsson continues to shuffle in and out of the Red Wings lineup, as he'll replace Justin Holl in the lineup after being a healthy scratch for the last two games. Gustafsson has two assists and 10 SOG in six games this season.
The Red Wings have been wildly inconsistent to start the 2024-25 season, heavily relying on their goaltenders, with a 4-5-1 record. Talbot will get the start in the crease on Saturday and has been equally inconsistent, a byproduct of porous team play, posting a 3.16 GAA and .913 SV% in five appearances (2-1-1). The Red Wings, with Alex Lyon between the pipes, were defeated 5-3 by the Buffalo Sabres one week ago.
Watson played his second game of the season on Wednesday, filling in for Vladimir Tarasenko (illness), playing 9:06 time-on-ice, recording four hits and a -1 plus/minus. Watson had a one-game stint with the Red Wings earlier this season but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, scoring six points (0G / 6A) in seven games with the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Watson will enter the lineup in place of Vladimir Tarasenko, who is out with an illness. Watson has appeared in just one game this season, registering a -1 rating and two penalty minutes in under five minutes of ice time.
Watson had a one-game stint with the Red Wings earlier this season but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, scoring six points (0G / 6A) in seven games with the Grand Rapids Griffins. The 32-year-old Watson had 118 points (60G / 58A) in 516 career NHL games and could draw into the Red Wings lineup on Wednesday if Vladimir Tarasenko (illness) is not able to play.
Albert Johansson will remain in the Red Wings lineup on Wednesday, resulting in Gustafsson being a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game. The 32-year-old Gustafsson is averaging 16:19 time-on-ice through six games with the Red Wings, recording two assists and a -2 plus/minus.
As was the case on Sunday, Johansson will remain in the Red Wings lineup in favor of Erik Gustafsson. Johansson played 15:06 time-on-ice in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, recording a -1 plus/minus and two hits.
The Red Wings' three-game winning streak was snapped on Saturday, and the team will turn to Talbot in the crease against the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday for the tail end of their back-to-back. Talbot has been wildly inconsistent through three starts this season (2-1-0), including a 42-save shutout and allowing five goals on 19 shots (.737 SV%). The Red Wings enter the action on Sunday as +220 home underdogs.
Compher did not play in Thursday's 5-3 win over the New Jersey Devils but could be an option on Saturday afternoon against the Buffalo Sabres. The 29-year-old Compher has four points (2G / 2A) and a +2 plus/minus through six games this season.
Compher was a surprise scratch for Thursday's game, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. The Red Wings will opt to dress seven defensemen as a result of Compher's absence.
Despite a spectacular 30-save performance for Alex Lyon in a 1-0 win over the New York Islanders on Tuesday, the Red Wings will turn to Talbot between the pipes on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. Talbot's first start of the season was a sensational 42-save shutout victory but, as a whole, has a less impressive 3.31 GAA and .907 SV% in three appearances (1-1-0). The Red Wings enter action on Thursday as +138 home underdogs against a Devils club that has allowed 14 goals in their last two games (0-1-1).
