The Detroit Red Wings are set to begin a four-game, eight-day road trip with the anticipated debut of defenseman Justin Faulk, who was acquired at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. The team will face the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on Sunday night.
Head coach Todd McLellan discussed how Faulk will be integrated into the lineup. “We’re going to have to figure out how comfortable he’ll be in playing with certain partners,” McLellan said about the 33-year-old player. “We may think, ‘Okay, he’ll fit real good with Ben Chiarot.’ That is the plan a little bit, is to put him there and get your four guys rolling out, but we have to pay attention to who he’s playing well with and how the chemistry goes with his partner.”
Sunday’s game is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be nationally televised on ESPN. Fans can also listen via 97.1 The Ticket radio station. In their previous meeting this season, Detroit lost 4-3 to New Jersey at Prudential Center.
Detroit recently ended a two-game homestand with a 3-1 loss against the Florida Panthers at Little Caesars Arena. They tied the game during a 5-on-3 power play but allowed two goals in the final period.
“I think we have to be sharp all over,” McLellan said following Friday’s loss. “The opening game of the two against Vegas — a good start, we’re playing then we get a little bit hesitant in the game and suddenly it comes back to bite you. We kept that team to one goal with eight minutes left, then they earned it. [Against Florida], we are very sloppy on one play and when you’re not scoring enough, and the chances aren’t going in for you as regularly as you’d like them to be, that type of mistake has to be eliminated. So, we got to clean everything up.”
At Saturday’s practice held at Little Caesars Arena’s BELFOR Training Center, prospect Michael Brandsegg-Nygard participated along with David Perron—recently re-acquired from Ottawa—who wore a non-contact jersey due to recovery from a sports hernia. Captain Dylan Larkin (lower body) and Lucas Raymond (maintenance day) did not take part.
“Larks won’t play [on Sunday],” McLellan said regarding Larkin’s status for the upcoming match-up. “He’ll need some time to recover. I can’t give you a timeline on that right now, but he will be out.”
Perron commented on his return: “It feels pretty seamless walking in,” Perron said. “The guys are very welcoming, and it’s exciting. They’re in a good spot too and have done a hell of a job to put themselves in this situation. We want to keep improving on it.”
Brandsegg-Nygard confirmed that he was told by coaching staff he would play against New Jersey after being recalled from Grand Rapids under emergency conditions Saturday morning: “I feel like I’ve grown in the North American style of hockey with how many games I’ve had this season,” Brandsegg-Nygard said. “I’m still trying to learn that, but I feel like I’m getting used to it.” He played nine games earlier this season for Detroit before recording 37 points over 50 games for Grand Rapids.
New Jersey enters Sunday’s contest riding a four-game winning streak after defeating the New York Rangers 6-3 on Saturday night; they currently trail Boston by nine points for an Eastern Conference Wild Card spot.
Jesper Bratt leads New Jersey in points (48), followed by captain Nico Hischier (46) and Jack Hughes (45). After Jacob Markstrom started Saturday’s game as goaltender for New Jersey, Jake Allen is expected in net against Detroit.
The Red Wings are recognized as one of six original teams in league history and represent Detroit, Michigan (official website). The franchise has secured eleven Stanley Cup championships (official website)—the most among American teams—and hosts its home games downtown (official website).
