The Detroit Red Wings are getting a pair of forwards back for their second game of a four-game road trip. Marco Kasper and Mason Appleton were activated from injured reserve before Tuesday morning skate in St. Louis and are set to return to the lineup against the St. Louis Blues.
Todd McLellan also said John Gibson will start in goal for Detroit as the Red Wings close out the second game of the two-game season series at Enterprise Center on Tuesday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
What the return means
The timing matters for Detroit. The Red Wings enter Tuesday after a 4-0 shutout loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, the opener of this road trip. They were also looking to stop a skid that included that loss in Ball Arena, and adding two forwards back gives McLellan more options immediately.
Kasper and Appleton had already been practicing with the team since Oct. 30, so this is not a surprise return. Still, getting both players back at once changes the available lineup and gives Detroit more depth against a Blues team that is trying to end a three-game losing streak of its own.
McLellan has been clear that neither player should be expected to instantly carry the load, but he did say both would bring energy. He also said the injuries slowed their rehab work early on, so the Red Wings are expecting contribution without asking for too much too soon.
Matchup notes in St. Louis
Tuesday’s game finishes the season series between the Red Wings and Blues. It also gives Justin Faulk a notable return to Enterprise Center, where he is facing St. Louis for the first time since last March’s trade to Detroit. Faulk spent parts of seven seasons with the Blues from 2019-26, producing 232 points in 482 regular-season games with 56 goals and 176 assists.
The Blues enter at 7-8-3 with 17 points, while Detroit is 7-8-2 with 16 points. That makes this a small but important divisional-style test for both teams, especially with the Red Wings trying to recover quickly after a shutout defeat.
Kasper said the focus on the road is simple: stay together, build chemistry and play fast and hard. Appleton echoed the need for a cleaner start after Detroit let an early good period slip away in its previous game. With both players back and Gibson in net, the Red Wings will try to make that message count right away.
