Moving in never an easy endeavor. Relocating to a new home leads to many changes, and there’s always an adjustment period. It’s been no different for the Detroit Red Wings since they switched into their new digs at Little Caesars Arena. The struggle to settle in was evident as the Wings seemed unable to locate a home-ice advantage at their new rink. Lately, though, it looks as if they may be on to something. The Wings head into Wednesday’s home game against the Ottawa Senators on a three-game home-ice winning streak, the first time they’ve won three in a row in their own rink since Jan. 14-18 of last season, when they still called Joe Louis Arena home. “We’ve definitely started playing better at home,… Wings center Frans Nielsen said. “Personally I think we’re starting to feel a little better out there, a little more comfortable and just getting used to everything out there.… With an 8-6-6 slate on home ice, only four NHL teams have fewer home victories this season than the Red Wings - Buffalo, Vancouver, Arizona and Ottawa. Detroit’s 17 wins at home last season were the fewest recorded by the franchise in a full season since 1985-86, when the Wings finished last overall in the NHL and won just 10 games at Joe Louis Arena. It certainly helped in Sunday’s 4-1 win over Pittsburgh that the opposition was provided the Penguins, perhaps the most despised opponent on Detroit’s current slate. The crowd was really into the game, something that generally hasn’t been evident at LCA, where checking out all the bells and whistles of the new facility has proven to be far more entertaining most nights than the product the local club is putting on the ice. “I thought the energy was great,… Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. “This building definitely is loud with the people in the stands, and with us giving them some good hockey.… Mantha Update While the coaching and training staff will have the final say, it would appear as if right-winger Anthony Mantha, the Wings’ goal-scoring leader with 13, will return to action Wednesday after missing two games due to a groin strain. “I went pretty hard and it felt good, so I should be good to go tomorrow,… Mantha told Detroitredwings.com after Tuesday’s practice. “My body’s feeling good right now, so I’m ready to go.… While he didn’t rubber stamp it, Blashill was certainly leaning toward getting Mantha back in the lineup. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to our training staff, but when I talked to him on the ice, he sounded like he was good to go,… Blashill said. Follow me on Twitter @asktheduffer
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