OctoPulse podcast: Wings-Caps' battle looms, Kirsten Simms interview
Ted Kulfan takes a look at the Red Wings’ improved playoff chances after winning three of the last four games and Wisconsin forward Kirsten Simms is the podcast guest.
A week ago, the Red Wings were in the midst of a seven-game losing streak and their eight-point playoff cushion was gone with the Capitals and Islanders hot on their heels.
Now heading into Saturday's game in Nashville against the playoff-bound Predators, the Wings are one point ahead of the Capitals after Washington beat Carolina, 6-5, on Friday night, and they're five points up on the Islanders, who lost 6-3 in Detroit on Thursday.
"If that lineup (Red Wings) is healthy and at full strength, that's a lot of depth and a lot of people who can score goals," Kulfan said on the podcast. "You wonder about the goaltending. James Reimer is prone to give up one softy per game but he sure does battle in there and he's got the veteran experience."
Goalie Alex Lyon will get the start in goal on Saturday in the first of a five-game road trip, which sees the Red Wings wind up in Tampa Bay on April Fools' Day on Monday, April 1.
▶ Saturday @ Nashville, 5 p.m. (BSD/97.1)
▶ Tuesday @ Washington 7 p.m. (BSD/97.1)
▶ Thursday @ Carolina, 7:30 p.m. (BSD/97.1)
▶ Saturday @ Florida, 12:30 p.m. (NHL/BSD+/97.1)
▶ Monday @ Tampa Bay, 7 p.m. (BSD+/97.1)
Here are highlights from the 100th edition of OctoPulse, The Detroit News' podcast since 2019, the year general manager Steve Yzerman started the rebuild in Detroit. Below the highlights is a complete list of podcast guests.
▶ :40: Dylan Larkin's triumphant return
▶ 2:40: Steve Yzerman on Simon Edvinsson
▶ 5:00: Underrated defensive corps
▶ 6:40: Kirsten Simms interview
More:Plymouth's Kirsten Simms one step from top honor in NCAA women's hockey
▶ 20:10: Yzerman on building a team without a superstar
▶ 23:20: Rasmussen, Copp, Fischer line
▶ 25:30: Goaltending rotation
OctoPulse guests in alphabetical order
▶ A: Trey Augustine, Dave Andrews
▶ B: Riley Brengman, John Bacon, Red Berenson, Matt Beniers, Scotty Bowman, Joe Bowen
▶ C: Steve Coates, Leo Carlsson, Mike Cammalleri, Logan Cooley, Caley Chelios, Cole Caufield
▶ D: Nate Danielson, Dave Drinkill, Jamie Drysdale, Ken Dryden
▶ E: Cole Eiserman, Simon Edvinsson, Mike Emrick
▶ F: Jordan Forgione, Everett Fitzhugh
▶ G: Cutter Gauthier, Dylan Guenther, Jerry Green, Stu Grimson, Gerard Gallant
▶ H: William Horcoff, Mark Howe, Cross Hanas, Luke Hughes, Murray Howe, Milan Hejduk
▶ I: Greg Innis
▶ J: Kent Johnson
▶ K: Joakim Kemell, Mark Kirton, Megan Keller, John Kelly
▶ L: Ryan Leonard, Nick Libett, Chaz Lucius, Brian Lawton, Pat Lafontaine, Nicklas Lidstrom
▶ M: Doug MacLean, Al Montoya, Tim Mayer, Wes McCauley, Dan Milstein, Max Namestnikov, Ken Morrow
▶ N: Ted Nolan, Frank Nazar, Dwayne Norris, Pat Nagle
▶ O: Mark O'Brien
▶ P: Madison Packer, Dave Poulin, Gabe Perreault, Jakub Petr, Doug Plagens, Cole Perfetti, Darren Pang
▶ R: Abby Roque, Jason Ross, Manon Rheaume, Lucas Raymond, Marco Rossi, Luc Robitaille, Marcus Ragnarsson
▶ S: Riley Sawchuk, Bob Stauffer, Will Smith, John Shannon, Paul Stewart, Moritz Seider, Tim Stutzle, Jake Sanderson, Craig Simpson, Kirsten Simms
▶ T: Tripp Tracy, Bryan Trottier, Tim Taylor
▶ V: Rick Vaive
▶ W: Paul Woods, Shane Wright
▶ Z: Rick Zombo, Trevor Zegras