We’re down to mere hours before the NHL trade deadline, but the games must go on. The Red Wings kicked off a five-game stint away from home in Vancouver. Thomas Vanek remained in the lineup for Detroit, but Steve Ott was removed in favor of Drew Miller. What does it all mean?!
First Period:
Late news broke before the opening puck drop that Jannik Hansen would be a scratch, which guaranteed that this game would have drama on and off the ice. Oh boy!
Brendan Smith’s replacement in Ryan Sproul made his impact felt early as he took an interference penalty on Reid Boucher.