PREVIEW: Red Wings visit Maple Leafs for Original Six matchup on Sunday

TORONTO -- After falling behind early and eventually dropping a lopsided 6-2 decision to the Winnipeg Jets on Friday, the Detroit Red Wings are focused on getting off to a stronger start against the rival Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday night at Scotiabank Arena.

"You never wanna chase a game," Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde said. "Especially a team (Winnipeg) like that, built with those types of forwards and a goalie like that. Just not a recipe for success. Our success of late has been good starts and being in it. That allows us to play a little more of a team-oriented game."
Puck drop between Detroit (33-33-9; 75 points) and Toronto (45-20-10; 100 points) is set for 7 p.m., with broadcast coverage on Bally Sports Detroit and the Red Wings Radio Network (97.1 The Ticket in Detroit).

Friday's end result was admittingly frustrating for the Red Wings, especially given how much the club's confidence grew from Thursday's 3-2 victory over the Metropolitan Division-leading Carolina Hurricanes at Little Caesars Arena.
"I really think it was just one of those games where we need something to energize us," Lalonde said. "I would have liked us to score first. I know it sounds crazy, but our first look was an east-west backdoor play, couldn't finish on it. Their (Jets) first look was a deflection that went in. We couldn't build on any momentum throughout the night."
The Maple Leafs enter Sunday's matchup less than 24 hours removed from a 3-0 shutout win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. Mitchell Marner (28-67-95), William Nylander (37-45-82) and Auston Matthews (37-41-78) have all crossed the 75-point plateau this season. Toronto goalies Ilya Samsonov and Matt Murray have split time between the pipes, with Samsonov making 31 saves against the Senators to record his fourth shutout of the season.
The Red Wings are 1-2-0 against the Maple Leafs this season, most recently taking a 4-1 decision on Jan. 12 at Little Caesars Arena. Sunday's game will mark the final meeting between Detroit and Toronto.

Kasper set to make NHL debut

Speaking to the media after Sunday's morning skate, Lalonde confirmed that the 18-year-old Marco Kasper will make his NHL debut against the Maple Leafs.
"Excited to give him an opportunity," Lalonde said about Detroit's eighth overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. "We're gonna play him with (Andrew) Copp and (Lucas) Raymond. We'll see how that goes."

Heading into his first NHL game,

"It's a dream come true," Kasper said. "I'm just gonna go out there and try to give my best. It's gonna be really fun."
According to Kasper, getting to know his new Red Wings teammates has been beneficial as he adjusts to the NHL lifestyle.
"Everybody has been really welcoming to me," the young Austrian forward said. "It for sure helps that I have been on the trip with them. It's been really fun so far."

Kasper tallied 23 points on eight goals and 15 assists in 52 games this season with Rogle BK of the Swedish Hockey League.
"This is an opportunity to get your feet wet," Lalonde said. "I think these experiences, on the big picture of his development, are huge."