Detroit Red Wings with Biggest Expectations for 2015

With a 20-9-9 record and 49 points, the Detroit Red Wings are in comfortable territory heading into the second half of the 2014-15 season.

Despite this fact the team is playing well, some players are going to be expected to have a strong second half to ensure that the Wings keep pace and finish with a solid record in order to make the playoffs.

Some of these players have performed well thus far, but they need to take it to a new level. Others need to join the party, because they are currently aren't playing to the best of their abilities.

With that in mind, here are the Red Wings who have the biggest expectations to live up to in 2015.

Brendan Smith

Steve Babineau/Getty Images

Brendan Smith is in his third professional season and is 25 years old. The 6'1", 198-pound defender was a first-round pick in 2007, and thus far he hasn't been able to channel the success he had in college or the AHL. With only seven points thus far, he has a ton of room for improvement during the second half of the season.

Smith showed some promise as a talented offensive defender before joining Detroit, and he is going to be expected to elevate his game during the second half of the season.

Gustav Nyquist

Dave Reginek/Getty Images

Gustav Nyquist has been streaky thus far, and he is expected to be better in 2015. He has 15 goals and 25 points in 38 games; those numbers are is down from what he accomplished last season, even though his minutes are up.

His totals are down because he's had a number of stretches in which he went multiple games without finding twine. That is something that will have to change, as games get tighter down the stretch. Nyquist is a good player, but he can be even better for Detroit going forward.

Jimmy Howard

Dave Reginek/Getty Images

Jimmy Howard is 15-6-7 with a 2.08 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage. His numbers are great, and the Red Wings are counting on him to be a brick wall down the stretch.

While his numbers are good, he has never been this good throughout his career for an extended period, and that is why there are expectations being placed on him.

Howard has a career .917 save percentage and a 2.38 goals-against average, so it would be normal to see some regression during the second half. His overall regular-season numbers haven't been this good since 2011-12, so he will be expected to hold down the fort because he is playing well.

Danny DeKeyser

Dave Reginek/Getty Images

Danny DeKeyser is having a great season, and it is expected that he will finish the season strong. He was signed as an undrafted college free agent, and he's been a solid fit for Detroit since joining the squad. 

The defender has 14 points in 36 games after recording 23 points in 65 games last season. His points-per-game average is 0.04 points higher this year, and a strong finish could help him earn a nice raise after the season ends. 

Stats via Hockey-Reference.com