"His play has been a huge bright spot," Lalonde said. "We've talked about the importance of these meaningful games so late in the season and especially for someone like that, who just joined us post (trade) deadline, it's huge for him. We've asked a lot of him and we've played him against top-six opponents, especially in Toronto. That's a different animal, top-six, and he's handled himself extremely well."

The Walman injury made it easier to slide Edvinsson into a larger role, but Edvinsson also has shown he's deserving of that type of responsbility.

"He's solidified himself there, surpassed expectations," Lalonde said. "The play with the puck and poise is there, but I give him a lot of credit for the way he's defending."

On occasion a young player called up late in the season can provide a spark for a team battling to get into the playoffs. Kane remembers how in 2015, as his Chicago Blackhawks were competing for a Stanley Cup, Tampa forward Jonathan Drouin (now with Colorado) was called up and sparked the Lightning in the playoffs.

"He was just flying around," Kane said. "You get a young guy with a lot of energy who is trying to prove himself and trying to make his way into the league too, sometimes these young guys come in and have so much energy and fire and they might be a step above the guys who are worn down.

"He (Edvinsson) has been playing great for us."

Lyon starts

Lalonde gave Monday's start to goaltender Alex Lyon, after playing James Reimer Saturday in Toronto.

Lyon has been the Wings' starter for most of the second half of the season, but the workload seemed to get to Lyon in Thursday's overtime loss in Pittsburgh.

Reimer started and won Saturday in his 500th career game.

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