Todd McLellan has had countless interactions with his players since being named the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings last Thursday. And for McLellan, building off-ice relationships with those players is just as important as knowing their on-ice skills and tendencies.

After the Red Wings' new coach gave a clear message at his first practice, his team responded by delivering his first win in Detroit.

The puck drops just after 8 p.m. So, an early Happy New Year, too. The Penguins were commanding Sunday, claiming a 3-0 lead over the New York Islanders by midway through the third period. However, a good goal and a fluky goal closed the Islanders’ gap before the Penguins retook control.

There’s been no love lost over the years between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings. That it was the Penguins who vanquished Detroit in the club’s most recent Stanley Cup final appearance still gnaws at veteran Red Wings supporters.