Losers of six straight, the Red Wings are looking for a spark and they’ll get one tonight as Jordin Tootoo -- recently recalled from AHL Grand Rapids -- will draw into the lineup against Calgary.
His inclusion will come at the expense of veteran Mikael Samuelsson who, according to the Detroit Free Press, will be a healthy scratch this evening.
Samuelsson, 36, has just one goal and three points in 21 games this year, and his lone goal came in a season-opening victory against Buffalo (so, 20 straight games without a tally.)
The veteran winger has played in each of Detroit’s last two games but has been largely ineffective, recording just two shots on goal with a minus-2 rating while playing under 10 minutes both nights.
As for Tootoo, he’ll be playing just his ninth game of the year and first since Nov. 4. The 30-year-old was placed on waivers and spent a brief time in AHL Grand Rapids before yesterday’s recall.