Red Wings-Nashville a clash of struggling, desperate clubs

The Detroit Red Wings’ 1-3 start is disappointing. The Nashville Predators’ 0-4 start is shocking.

The struggling clubs meet today at Bridgestone Arena (2 p.m., Bally Sports Detroit), both desperately needing a win.

“I’m sure they’re desperate, but we’re desperate, too,” Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said. “This does not feel good. It’s sporadic play. It’s frustrating where we are with our results. I think it’s two teams that are going to be playing very desperate in an important game early on.”

The Red Wings are coming off back-to-back losses to the New York Rangers while trying to navigate through a tough early season schedule.

Nashville had high hopes after its summer spending spree. First, the Predators locked up franchise goaltending Jusse Saros to an eight-year, $62 million extension. Then they went hog-wild in free agency, inked longtime Lightning center Steven Stamkos (four years at $32 million), right wing Jonathan Marchessault (five years at $27.5 million) and defenseman Brady Skjei (seven years at $49 million).

Stamkos has no points in four games. Saros is 0-3 with a 3.83 goals-against average and .878 save percentage.

The Red Wings’ lone victory came one week ago against Nashville, when Cam Talbot made 42 saves for a 3-0 win.

“We played a competitive 60 minutes,” Dylan Larkin said. “Talbs was great. We battled, we blocked shots, we did all the little things. Our details were better. They’ve lost four in a row. They’re going to be gunning for us. We got to match that desperation.”

Alex Lyon will start today, after Talbot was pulled during the second period of Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the Rangers.

The Red Wings’ lineup was in flux Friday due to the uncertain status of Andrew Copp (flu) and Tyler Motte’s upper-body injury.

Regardless, 2022 top pick Marco Kasper will make his Red Wings season debut. He’ll start by centering a line with Michael Rasmussen and Jonatan Berggren and will play on the power play and penalty kill.