PREVIEW: Atlantic Division rivals go head-to-head as Red Wings host Senators on Tuesday

DETROIT -- Renewing their Atlantic Division rivalry that’s grown quite chippy and physical in recent seasons, the Detroit Red Wings will take on the Ottawa Senators at Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday night.

“We just got to play fast and be ready for them,” Alex DeBrincat said. “They’re a fast team and have a lot of skill, so we got to be ready for what they’re going to bring us and give it back to them. And hopefully, put a couple into the back of the net.”

The Red Wings (0-2-0; 0 points) and Senators (2-0-0; 4 points) will drop the puck for the first time this season at 7 p.m. ET, with broadcast coverage on Detroit SportsNet and the Red Wings Radio Network (97.1 The Ticket in Detroit). They won’t meet again until Feb. 25, 2027.

Although Detroit is still seeking its first win this season, most recently dropping a 3-2 decision to the visiting Winnipeg Jets on Sunday afternoon, DeBrincat has seen encouraging signs in the club’s first two games and believes it’s only a matter of time before positive results follow — as long as he and his teammates keep building on what’s working.

“We need to score some goals and get in the (offensive) zone a little more, but I think (Sunday’s) game was better than (last Friday’s contest) against the Rangers,” DeBrincat said. “We had our chances. We just didn’t necessarily bury them, so I feel like the defensive part of our game is better… I think we could’ve easily won one, or even both, of those games. I think we’re in a good spot.”

Tuesday’s morning skate at Little Caesars Arena saw Dylan Larkin (upper body) center Detroit’s top line between Viktor Arvidsson and Lucas Raymond, and the 30-year-old forward took some reps on the first power-play unit. Asked whether Larkin would play against the Senators, head coach Todd McLellan said it “looks that way right now.”

“He’s got one more hurdle to cross,” McLellan said. “Still on (injured reserve), so the doctor will look at him here and if he’s cleared, he’s playing, and if he isn’t, then he won’t.”

Should Larkin make his season debut, it would give the Red Wings a much-needed boost in multiple facets, as McLellan shared that Marco Kasper (upper body) and Mason Appleton (undisclosed) are week-to-week while J.T. Compher (undisclosed) is day-to-day.

"You look at special teams – our power play is different with (Larkin) in the lineup," McLellan said. "I truly believe that. The pace that he can play with is different than what it was, because when he's healthy and when he does play, he plays a fast, long game. He's arguably our best faceoff guy, so we've got the puck more. He does penalty kill. He plays in all situations, so when he's playing his best, he's an effective player."

McLellan also indicated the Red Wings – they'll be without Kasper, Appleton and Compher on Tuesday – could dress 11 forwards and seven defensemen for the second straight game.

"We've got to figure that part out," McLellan said. "If we go 11-7, we have one extra option. If we go 12-6, then we've got to figure out what the back end looks like. So, I can't confirm anything for you right now."

Whoever suits up for Detroit will face an Ottawa squad on the second night of a road back-to-back set, fresh off a 4-1 victory over the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on Monday.

“Their top-end players are playing real well,” McLellan said of the Senators. “(Tim) Stützle looked excellent last night. They’re playing the same type of game as last year. It doesn’t look, to me, like any of their so called noise is affecting the team at all. They look like they’re playing together and have a lot of energy. They have some speed. They play both offensively and defensively fast, and we’re going to have to handle it.”