RED WINGS (12-13-7) at ISLANDERS (18-12-3) 7 p.m. ET; MSG+, FS-D, NHL.TV
De Haan, who averages 18:44 of ice time, fourth on the Islanders, is being evaluated after sustaining an upper-body injury in New York's 4-3 overtime win against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, coach Doug Weight said. He was placed on injured reserve Monday. The Red Wings begin a four-game road trip, all against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 2-5-5 in their past 12 games but 2-1-2 since a 10-1 loss at the Montreal Canadiens on Dec. 2.
Players to watch
Red Wings center Henrik Zetterberg has four points (one goal, three assists) in a three-game point streak after going 22 games without a goal (0-8-8). Islanders forward Josh Bailey has nine points (four goals, five assists) in a five-game point streak, and has multiple points in three straight games. He was named the NHL's Third Star for last week.
They said it
"We want to start trying to bank away some more points here and get back up in this playoff race. You have to make sure you don't give [the Islanders] easy opportunities against. You have to play a smart game against that group." -- Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader "They're right there and just like us, striving to get wins before the [Christmas] break. They're going to come in here and play a good road game. We're not overlooking them by any means. We have to be ready from the get-go tonight." -- Islanders forward Anders Lee
The Red Wings did not hold a morning skate. Athanasiou was moved from fourth-line center to first-line left wing at practice Monday. Coach Jeff Blashill has been pleased with Athanasiou's play, although he hasn't scored a goal in his past 11 games. Mantha, who's gone six games without a point, skated on the fourth line. … The Islanders will dress 13 forwards for warmups. Hickey was activated from injured reserve Monday after missing four games with an upper-body injury, but Weight wants to give him another practice.
Stat pack
The Red Wings' six shorthanded goals are tied with the Edmonton Oilers, San Jose Sharks and Florida Panthers for the NHL lead. … Lee, Tavares and Bailey combined for a League-leading 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists) in four games last week.
