After a disastrous road trip that saw them lose all four games as part of their six game losing streak, the Detroit Red Wings return home in desperate need of a victory tonight when they host the Arizona Coyotes, who beat them last Friday in Tempe by a 4-0 final.
And ahead of the match, Detroit had announced one key lineup switch. Forward Auston Czarnik had been brought up from the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins, and he'll be playing in place of Daniel Sprong tonight against the Coyotes. According to the Red Wings' social media account, the move was made under "emergency" conditions, meaning that Sprong is likely unavailable due to injury or illness.
Sprong, who is playing in his first season with the Red Wings after being signed over the summer as a free-agent, has scored 16 goals with 23 assists this season. He initially began the season wearing jersey No. 88, the first player in team history to do so. However, after the team signed future Hall of Fame forward Patrick Kane in late November, Sprong graciously surrendered the number and switched to No. 17.
Meanwhile, Czarnik has appeared in 18 games with the Red Wings, registering a single assist that took place back in October against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He's tallied nine goals and 17 assists in 36 games played for the Griffins this season.
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