Grand Rapids Griffins start next round of playoffs: What to know

Veteran Erik Gustafsson wasn't able to strengthen the Wings defense corps as expected when he was signed two years ago, but he's been a really nice influence for the Griffins, as he has four points in four playoff games this spring.

Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, the Wings' first-round pick (No. 15) in 2024, has two goals and an assist. Axel Sandin-Pellikka (No. 17, 2023) has one goal.

The Wolves are led by Ryan Suzuki (brother of Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki), who has four goals and six points in five games. Bradly Nadeau, a first-round pick of the Hurricanes (No. 30, 2023) has a team-high four assists among five points.

Who's minding the nets

Michal Postava, a free agent signee out of Czechia, is 3-1 with a 1.25 goals-against average that ranks second in the AHL playoffs, and a .945 save percentage. He's stopped 86 of 91 shots. The 24-year-old got the nod to start in the playoffs after Sebastian Cossa, the Wings' first-round pick from 2021, struggled down the stretch, and he has given the Griffins no reason to reconsider.

The Wolves' netminder is Cayden Primeau, son of former Wings forward Keith Primeau and a former draft pick of the Montreal Canadiens (No. 199, 2017). He's 3-2 with a 2.17 GAA and .918 save percentage.

Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Grand Rapids Griffins start next round of playoffs: What to know