As the Detroit Red Wings dig out from a major collapse, James Reimer is the latest rescuer to be asked to bring the backhoe.
Detroit coach Derek Lalonde announced that Reimer will start Saturday (12:30)against the Buffalo Sabres as the Red Wings attempt to put an end to a seven-game losing streak. The Sabres pinned a 7-3 setback on Detroit on Tuesday. Alex Lyon has been in the net for six of the seven losses, including Tuesday’s loss to the Sabres.
Lyon has given up 20 goals on 160 shots for an .889 save percentage. His game save percentages during the losing skid are .846, .892, .876, .833, .692 and .885. Reimer has given up seven goals on 61 shots (.885) in two appearances during the losing streak.
“Likely wouldn’t play James on the back to back, but it’s an afternoon game so a little unique back to back.” Lalonde said. “Sometimes those afternoon to the back to back look a little different than the night to back to back. So James will be in tomorrow and we’ll re-evaluate from there.”
The Red Wings play at Pittsburgh on Sunday at 6 p.m.
Nobody has blamed Lyon for the team collapse, but he hasn’t shown the same level of effectiveness he had in January.
“Obviously, we’ve asked a lot of him, the volume of games,” Lalonde said. “He’s never done this at this level. Maybe catching up to him a little bit. Like to be less chaotic in front of him. Be predictable in front of him. ”
Larkin On the Ice
Larkin skated with the Detroit squad for the first 10 minutes of practice.
“Part of the process today,” Lalonde said. “He skated a little but probably still very unlikely we’ll see him this weekend. Coming after that off-day on Monday we’ll get a better feel.”
Lalonde offered that the Red Wings are “probably not going to see him in the next two-three games. That third game would be Tuesday against the New York Islanders, the team just ahead of Detroit in the wild card race.
Meanwhile, Lalonde hasn’t decided whether Daniel Sprong will be back in the lineup after being scratched for the Arizona game. Austin Czarnik.
The Red Wings also haven’t decided whether Jonatan Berggren will stay with the team. If plays Saturday, it would be his 80th career game with Detroit. That means he would have to be sent through waivers to go back to the Grand Rapids Griffins.
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