PREVIEW: Red Wings host Sabres Thursday for Tigers Night

DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings will host the Buffalo Sabres for Tigers Night on Tuesday at Little Caesars Arena.

Puck drop between the Red Wings (35-33-9; 79 points) and Sabres (37-32-7; 81 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).
Fans are encouraged to arrive early for Thursday's Atlantic Division matchup. The first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive an exclusive co-branded Red Wings/Tigers baseball hat, courtesy of MotorCity Casino Hotel.
"I love baseball," Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde said. "I've kind of always adopted the home team since my team (Montreal Expos) got stolen from me. When I was living in Michigan working Ferris (State University), that's when the Tigers got it going again. I'm very into the Tigers and anything Detroit."

The Red Wings wrapped up a three-game road trip Tuesday with a 5-0 shutout win over the Montreal Canadiens, marking Detroit's fourth victory in its past five games.
"Right now, we're doing a lot of good things," Austin Czarnik said. "We're working hard, winning battles and getting the results that we want. When you're outside the playoffs, guys can take their foot off the gas. But everyone here is going pedal to the metal."
On Tuesday, Buffalo dropped a 2-1 decision to the Florida Panthers (87 points), who currently occupy the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Tage Thompson has a team-leading 90 points on 44 goals and 46 assists, while Jeff Skinner (33-40-73) and Alex Tuch (35-37-72) have both crossed the 70-point plateau this season. Three Buffalo goatenders have split time in the crease this season, with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen leading the way with a 17-11-4 record, 3.61 goals-against average and .892 save percentage.

Lalonde said Detroit is focused on tightening up defensively against the Sabres, who have won all three games against the Red Wings this season.
"They're a great offensive team," Lalonde said. "They lean offense. It's their identity and we just haven't handled it very well. I just think our team defense of whole will need to be better."

Kasper to miss remainder of season

After Wednesday's practice, Lalonde said that Marco Kasper "probably won't be available for the rest of the year" because of a lower-body injury.
"It's very unfortunate," Lalonde said. "We would have loved to get him some games. The one he played was extremely valuable. We won't question his toughness."
According to Lalonde, Kasper sustained the injury during his NHL debut against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday. The 18-year-old Austrian forward was Detroit's eighth overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
"Nothing serious or long term," Lalonde said. "Will cut probably a little bit to his offseason. But he will have a good summer and be ready for Day 1 of (Training) Camp next year."