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Two for two so far in three in three |
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Three games in three nights?
So far it hasn’t been an issue for the Detroit Red Wings.
They improved to two-for-two, following up Sunday’s 2-1 home-ice overtime win over the Minnesota Wild with a 4-3 OT verdict over the Carolina Hurricanes, as AA doubled up, Andreas Athanasiou scoring his second OT winner in as many games.
“Sometimes the puck just kind of finds you and gets you in the right spot,” Athanasiou said. “I’m happy the way it worked out.”
Monday’s game was a makeup of the Dec. 19 game postponed by a compressor issue at PNC Arena. The same two teams will meet there again tonight.
“I haven’t played in one of those in a while,” Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard said. “Z (captain Henrik Zetterberg) s the only one on the team that hasn’t gone through it, so we’ll see how he’s doing after Tuesday night.
“It’ll be easier than what we did in the American League, travelling from city to city. Staying put and playing the same team should be easier on the body.”
It’s the first time that the Wings will play three games in as many days since Feb. 6-8, 1976. They opened that sequence with a 4-3 win over the New York Islanders but then lost 5-4 to the New York Rangers and were hammered 7-0 by the Boston Bruins in the finale of the trio of quick games.
“I’ve got experience coaching in these situations,” Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. “I don’t think they’re barriers to success whatsoever.
“The one thing we do have is four lines that can absolutely play. It doesn’t mean I use them that way every night but we certainly have the ability to.”
Lack Injured
Carolina goalie Eddie Lack was seriously hurt when his neck snapped back after colliding with Athanasiou on the winning goal, and Lack was stretchered from the ice and taken to hospital.
The Hurricanes reported that Lack was undergoing tests at UNC REX Hospital. He did have full feeling in his extremities and that they would provide additional information about his condition when it was available.
Lack gave the thumbs up signal as he was taken from the rink.
“That’s honestly a good feeling,” Athanasiou said. “You never want to see a player go down like that, on a stretcher. I hope he’s OK and gets back quick.”
Monster Mantha
Anthony Mantha scored a pair of second-period breakaway goals for the Wings.
“The first one I knew I was going to shoot it, so I just tried to look for an open spot,”Mantha said. “That’s what I did.
“The second one, it came by so quick, I’ll be honest, I didn’t know what to do too much. I just couldn’t shoot it a second time in row. I faked a shot and tried to open him up and caught him kind of giving a big stretch across, so I went power five hole.”
Tomas Tatar also scored for Detroit, giving him 11-4-15 totals in his last 18 games. Zetterberg collected an assist and is one point shy of 900 for his NHL career.
Renouf Debut
Not wanting veteran defender Niklas Kronwall to play three games in three nights, the Wings recalled defenseman Dan Renouf from AHL Grand Rapids and he made his NHL debut Monday.
“I was excited to get the call and I’m just going to try to take advantage of it and leave a good mark with them,” Renouf said.
His rookie pro season delayed by a concussion suffered in training camp, regardless Renouf believes he’s enjoyed a solid season with AHL Grand Rapids.
“It’s been a good year,” Renouf said. “I think I started a little slow. I think that almost helped me just deal with adversity, kind of just growing my game.
“I think I took a lot out of my first season and I’m happy with it so far.”
The 6-2, 205-pound Renouf is capable of bringing an element that is lacking from the Red Wings blue line.
“He’s a good-sized D-man who I think plays fairly efficient, skates well, and makes good decisions with the puck,” Blashill said. “He’s got a toughness to him. He’s fought.”
Helm Back
Forward Darren Helm returned to action Monday after missing four games with a lower body injury believed to be a charley horse.
But just when they got one player back, the Wings lose another. Forward Luke Glendening was injured in the first period.
“I don’t expect Glenny tomorrow,” Blashill said. “I’d say day to day. Lower-body injury.”
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