A look at tonight's projected Detroit Red Wings line combinations

The new National Hockey League season is right around the corner, and the Detroit Red Wings will look to continue taking steps in their rebuilt under the careful tutelage of general manager Steve Yzerman. 

With forward Bobby Ryan now out of the picture as he was released from his professional tryout contract earlier in the week, we did catch a glimpse of what could be a the top-six of the team's lineup for tonight's season opening game against the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning. 

Yesterday's practice yielded what will surely be the line combinations that the team will feature tonight, led by the top line of Dylan Larkin, Tyler Bertuzzi and rookie forward Lucas Raymond, who impressed enough to earn a spot on the final 23 man roster during the exhibition schedule. 

Meanwhile, newcomer Pius Suter was flanked by Robby Fabbri and Filip Zadina, who will be counted upon to shoulder more of the offensive load with Jakub Vrana set to miss the next four months with shoulder surgery thanks to an injury he sustained during training camp. 

Michael Rasmussen will play between Adam Erne and second-year Wing Vladislav Namestnikov, while Mitchell Stephens centers a line with Sam Gagner and Carter Rowney; Givani Smith skated as an extra. 

FORWARDS

Tyler Bertuzzi-Dylan Larkin-Lucas Raymond
Robby Fabbri-Pius Suter-Filip Zadina
Vladislav Namestnikov-Michael Rasmussen-Adam Erne
Givani Smith/Carter Rowney-Mitchell Stephens-Sam Gagner

DEFENSEMEN

Danny DeKeyser-Filip Hronek
Nick Leddy-Moritz Seider
Marc Staal-Gustav Lindstrom

The Red Wings take on the Lightning tonight at Little Caesars Arena in the home opener, and there will be plenty of fans who will be on hand to take it all in after over a year of not being able to enjoy a packed home venue thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.