The Detroit Red Wings will be without Patrick Kane when they welcome the Montreal Canadiens to Little Caesars Arena on Thursday night.

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings need an offensive spark tonight against Montreal in the start of a key three-game homestand. It won’t come from Patrick Kane, who’s out with an upper-body injury. Others must step up. The team needs to generate more than the one goal a game it’s produced during a three-game skid (0-2-1).

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With the Wings returning to Little Caesars Arena for a three-game home stand, starting with Thursday's game against the Montreal Canadiens, Tarasenko was earmarked after the morning skate to take over Kane's spot on the second line next to Alex DeBrincat and Andrew Copp.

Ahead of tonight's matchup against a direct wild card rival in the Canadiens, Detroit must brace for the absence of Patrick Kane

Forward Josh Norris (upper body) will not play against the Bruins and is expected to also be out against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday and Utah Hockey Club on Sunday. He did not play after the first period in a 5-0 loss to the New York Rangers on Tuesday.

Kane (undisclosed) will not be in the lineup versus Montreal on Thursday, per Daniella Bruce of the Red Wings' official site. Coach Todd McLellan said that Kane is day-to-day at this time. The 36-year-old was red-hot as he had 16 points in 10 games before he was held off the scoresheet in his last two games.

The Detroit Red Wings need an offensive spark tonight against Montreal in the start of a key three-game homestand. It won’t come from Patrick Kane, who’s out with an upper-body injury. Others must step up.