Blue Jackets vs Red Wings: Live Stream, Score Updates & Must-Watch Moments in Tonight’s NHL Clash

DETROIT—The Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings clash this afternoon in a matinee that could reshape the early-season standings for both conferences. Kickoff details • Puck drop: 1:00 p.m. ET, Little Caesars Arena • TV/stream: NHL Network, FanDuel Sports Network (regional) • Betting line: Detroit −125; over/under 6.5 Why the matchup matters Detroit sits atop the Atlantic at 12-8-1, determined to end a nine-year playoff drought, while Columbus (11-8-2) is only two points out of an Eastern wild-card spot. The Jackets have banked a perfect 5-0-0 mark against Atlantic teams; the Red Wings are 7-4-1 on home ice, but they were blanked 5-0 by the Islanders on Thursday and need a quick response. Key storylines 1. Goaltending shuffle Rookie Jet Greaves (4-2-0, .926 SV% last five starts) gets the nod for Columbus, rewarding a hot hand that has steadied the club during Boone Jenner’s injury absence. Detroit counters with veteran Cam Talbot (8-2-0, 2.64 GAA), who has been far sharper than newly acquired John Gibson (3.46 GAA). A fast start is critical: Detroit is 9-1-0 when leading after two periods. 2. Star centers heating up • Dylan Larkin: 12 G, 12 A, 56.2 % faceoff wins. The Wings’ captain is pacing for a career year and owns six multi-point nights. • Adam Fantilli: 6 goals in his last seven games, fresh off a three-point performance in Toronto that pushed Columbus to 8-4-2 in one-goal contests. 3. Defensemen driving offense Columbus blueliners have an NHL-best 15 goals, led by Zach Werenski, who moved past Cam Atkinson for second on the franchise’s all-time scoring list Thursday. Werenski also leads all league defensemen in shots on goal (78) and averages 26:47 per night. 4. Special-teams swing The Jackets’ penalty kill is operating at 87.5 % over the last 13 games, while Detroit’s power play clicks at 21.4 %. Preventing Larkin and Alex DeBrincat (9 G) from teeing up on the man advantage will be Columbus’ priority. Projected lineups (subject to change) Columbus Voronkov – Fantilli – Marchenko Wood – Monahan – Johnson Sillinger – Coyle – Olivier Gaunce – Lundeström – Chinakhov Werenski / Provorov Mateychuk / Severson Christiansen / Fabbro Starter: Greaves Detroit DeBrincat – Larkin – Raymond van Riemsdyk – Compher – Fabbri Kostin – Copp – Perron Rasmussen – Veleno – Fischer Chiarot / Seider Maata / Holl Gostisbehere / Petry Starter: Talbot Injury report CBJ: Boone Jenner (upper body, IR), Erik Gudbranson (upper body). DET: Elmer Söderblom (day-to-day), Simon Edvinsson (undisclosed). What to watch • First 10 minutes: Detroit has scored first in 13 of 21 games; Columbus is 8-1-0 when leading after one. • Net-front traffic: Both clubs average fewer than 30 shots allowed, but rebounds and redirects have haunted Detroit’s high-event blue line. • Overtime trend: Columbus has played extra hockey in five of its last seven; Detroit is 1-3 past regulation. Bottom line Expect another tight, playoff-style battle. If the Jackets’ mobile defense can jump-start rush chances and Greaves continues his hot streak, Columbus could steal crucial road points. Conversely, a rebound performance from Larkin’s top line would keep the Wings perched atop the Atlantic and re-ignite confidence after Thursday’s shutout loss.