#LGRW Daily: Vrana, Panik to debut as Detroit starts series with Chicago

DETROIT -- After a whirlwind week that saw four trades and two scintillating road wins against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Detroit Red Wings return to Little Caesars Arena trying to sustain their hard-earned momentum as they host the Chicago Blackhawks for a two-game series starting on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m.

Two of the newest members of the Red Wings, forwards Jakub Vrana and Richard Panik, are expected to make their team debuts after practicing with the club for the first time on Wednesday.
Acquired from the Washington Capitals along with a 2021 first-round pick and a 2022 second-round pick in the NHL Entry Draft for Anthony Mantha, Vrana and Panik are hoping to make an impact on the team over the final 12 games of the regular season.
"I hope I can prove my potential, prove what I can do out there and use it as much as I can," Vrana said after practice on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old, who was a member of the Capitals when they won the 2018 Stanley Cup and has scored 76 goals in 284 NHL games, is ready for this new challenge with Detroit.
"When somebody wants to give you a chance and wants you in their organization, wants you to play for their team, it gives me excitement to come here and do my best to help this group to build something," Vrana said.
Panik, who played for Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman from 2012-2014 when Yzerman was the general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning, brings a veteran presence that is something the young players on the team can look up to.
"I just want to earn a spot on the team," Panik said. "These 12 games, I'm going to focus to bring my best games to the team and help the team win some games, and hopefully I will (make) a good impression and go from there."

The Red Wings hope that Vrana and Panik can help turn the tide in the season series against the Blackhawks, which has seen the Wings earn three of a possible 12 points so far this season (1-4-1).
Thursday's series opener at Little Caesars Arena is set for 7:30 p.m (Bally Sports Detroit, Red Wings Radio Network).

Red Wings Storylines

• Adam Erne continued his breakout year as he broke a 0-0 tie in the third period of Monday's win over the Hurricanes with his team-leading 11th goal of the season. It extended his career-best point streak to seven games and was the 20,000th goal in Red Wings franchise history.

• Gustav Lindstrom made his 2020-21 season debut with the Red Wings during Monday's win against Carolina. The 22-year-old defenseman played just over 10 minutes and will look to earn more action down the stretch after the trades of blueliners Jon Merrill and Patrik Nemeth.
• Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill announced on Wednesday that Robby Fabbri will not be available for Thursday's game as he remains sidelined with an upper-body injury. It will be the sixth straight game the forward has missed since last playing on April 3 against Tampa Bay.

Scouting the Blackhawks

• The Blackhawks are currently four points out of a playoff spot in the Central Division with a game in hand on the Nashville Predators. The Blackhawks have won three of their past four games, including a series sweep of the Blue Jackets to begin their current five-game road trip.
• Farmington Hills, Mich., native Alex DeBrincat is a player the Red Wings will look to slow down after the success he's had against his hometown team as of late. In six games against Detroit this season, DeBrincat has tallied eight points (two goals, six assists), including a four-point game in the last meeting between the rivals on Feb. 28.
• Chicago was one of the busiest teams around the trade deadline, making five trades. The deals saw the Blackhawks acquire players like Adam Gaudette from the Vancouver Canucks, Brett Connolly from the Florida Panthers and four picks over the next two NHL Entry Drafts.