from Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now,

To Detroit Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde, the team’s top forward line of captain Dylan Larkin between Lucas Raymond and Tyler Bertuzzi is like a sweet piece of chocolate cake.

In the offensive zone, they are a sumptious treat....

“They have a chemistry, they have a feel,” Lalonde said. He also has a caveat to add to the discussion.

Defensive Play Lacking

He doesn’t see a completeness to their game. That’s the issue Lalonde has with the line. It’s why he tried separating Larkin and Raymond while Bertuzzi was out with a broken hand.

“It almost feels like some of those high-end skill lines we had back in Tampa, where they still had to transform their game and be a little more responsible all the time,” Lalonde said. “It’s just that it’s gotta be 200 feet.”

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from Ansar Khan of Mlive,

Jakub Vrana was scratched for the second game in a row Friday by the Grand Rapids Griffins, who lost 4-0 to the Iowa Wild at Van Andel Arena.

Griffins coach Ben Simon, in his postgame media address, was asked what Vrana needs to do to get back in the lineup.

“Compete,” Simon said. “Same thing as everyone else. Compete.”

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