When the Detroit Red Wings were putting the finishing touches on a 6-3 win against the Anaheim Ducks Thursday, rookie Axel Sandin Pellikka found himself a spectator in the third period.

Sandin Pellikka’s 13:43 minutes of playing time marked his lowest TOI in his first 17 NHL games. Todd McLellan said it was a coaching decision, not an injury. Sandin Pellikka has averaged 18:23 per game this season.

Axel Sandin-Pellikka gjorde karriärens andra NHL-mål när Detroit slog Anaheim! 🚨🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/5FgCtZlSob

— Viaplay Hockey (@ViaplayHockeySE) November 14, 2025

Coach Todd McLellan clearly shortened his bench in the game, putting an explanation point on his tough love teaching this week about how the Red Wings need to play hardnosed hockey to make the playoffs. More drives to the net. Increased traffic in front of the goal. Edgier overall play. Maybe you drive that point home harder by shortening the bench when the game is on the line.  Rookie Nate Danielson only played 11:13. Emmitt Finnie played less than 13 minutes. Jonatan Berggren had two assists, was plus-two and still only got 11:05.

But Sandin Pellikka’s playing time reduction is worth wondering about. It’s clear this youngster has offensive gifts, but his defensive play is sometimes adventurous. There is work to be done.  His minus-9 number is noteworthy, considering no other defenseman is worse than minus-3. This is just something to keep an eye on.

 

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DeBrincat’s three points came in the third period. It was the eighth three-point period of his career, tying J.T. Miller and Jack Eichel for the fourth-most among active U.S.-born skaters behind Patrick Kane (23), Matthew Tkachuk (12) and Auston Matthews (11)… Detroit reached the 10-win mark in 17-or-fewer games for the first time since 2010-11 (10-3-1). The Red Wings are the fifth Eastern Conference team to reach the 10-win mark this season, joining New Jersey (12), Carolina (11), Boston (11) and Montreal (10).

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