The Detroit Red Wings believe in themselves again, says new head coach Todd McLellan. That has made all the difference in the world.

The Detroit Red Wings are contending for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference this year. And on Monday night, they picked up a massive win over the Los Angeles Kings. Detroit coach Todd McLellan’s former team raced out to a 2-0 lead in the first period.

McLellan and his right-hand man, former Kings and Ducks assistant Trent Yawney, have put their imprint on the winged wheel in short order. “Our structure in all three zones (has improved), I feel like we’re just supporting the puck better,” Talbot told The Detroit News.

Lucas Raymond is on fire, and is the third Red Wings player to hit the 20-goal mark this season. Todd McLellan compared him to Red Wings great Henrik Zetterberg. Brad Galli has more.

The Detroit Red Wings entered this week playing extremely well for head coach Todd McLellan. McLellan sparked the Red Wings to seven straight wins before a loss to the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday. However,

The Kings take a two-goal lead in the first period before losing, 5-2, against their former head coach and dropping to 2-5-1 over their last eight games.

Lucas Raymond is a big reason the Detroit Red Wings are doing so well, and Patrick Kane may soon rejoin the lineup.

After a trio of home wins, the Red Wings will get back on the road as January ends, hoping for better results than the last road trip.

It is fascinating to look at the NHL over the same period of time. Kasper is right behind Martin Necas and Nathan MacKinnon in scoring (both have 12 points). Following behind him are Quinn Hughes (11), Mark Stone (11), and Connor McDavid (11).

Said Lucas Raymond: “When you’re winning, it makes things a lot easier and makes you even more focused to keep it that way. You don’t want to let that go. I think it’s the way we’ve been playing, which is probably the nicest feeling. It hasn’t been a coincidence. We worked really hard for it and we continue to do so every day.”

The Detroit Red Wings’ injury news was mostly positive as they left town Wednesday to start their four-game road trip Thursday in Edmonton. Patrick Kane skated.