The Grand Rapids Griffins are facing a familiar challenge: finding the back of the net. After a dominant regular season where the top line of Dominik Shine, John Leonard, and Sheldon Dries combined for 77 goals, the trio has gone ice-cold in the AHL playoffs. Five games into the postseason, they have yet to register a single goal.

"Very quiet start," said Griffins coach Dan Watson following a 2-1 loss to the Chicago Wolves in Game 1 of their series. "We need more from them offensively. Defensively, they are completely fine, but we don't need them to be a shutdown line. We need them to contribute and create chances. There aren't a lot of chances being created, especially tonight. We are going to need more out of them in this series for sure."

Down 1-0 heading into Saturday's Game 2, the Griffins are desperate for a spark. For fans following the Detroit Red Wings organization, this storyline feels all too familiar—a team built on strong defense but searching for that crucial offensive breakthrough.

Meanwhile, there's plenty of action on the international stage. Detroit defenseman Justin Faulk and Red Wings prospect Max Plante are set to make their debut for Team USA at the World Championships today against Switzerland (NHL Network, 2:20 p.m.). Faulk will serve as team captain, and all eyes will be on Plante to see if he can make an immediate impact.

In other prospect news, the QMJHL finals are heating up. The best-of-seven series between Moncton and Chicoutimi is tied 2-2, thanks in large part to Detroit prospect Rudy Guimond. The sixth-round pick from 2023 stopped 22 of 25 shots in a 4-3 Moncton victory in Game 4, keeping the series wide open.

As the playoffs intensify, the Red Wings organization will be watching closely—both for immediate contributions from their prospects and for the offensive awakening the Griffins so desperately need.