In search of consistency

Stringing consistent performances together has proven to be the hobgoblin of the Detroit Red Wings, as good a reason as any why they are so far out of the playoff picture as the calendar turns from 2017 to 2018. Fresh off Friday’s solid 3-2 win over the New York Rangers, the Wings will be offered another chance to get on a roll as they face the struggling Pittsburgh Penguins, 4-7 in their last 11 games, on New Year’s Eve. “I think consistency has been one of our problems, so we can’t get too comfortable,… Larkin said. “We’ve got to come and work on New Year’s Eve. “We’ve got another good team coming in that’s not in the playoffs right now. They’re on the outside looking in, so they’re going to come and be hungry. We can’t get comfortable with just one win.… Likewise, there are players who have found consistency to be elusive, guys like forward Andreas Athanasiou. Athanasiou took advantage of the opportunity to play alongside Larkin when Anthony Mantha missed Friday’s game through injury. He scored his first goal in 16 games, and fired a season-high eight shots on goal. “I’ve had a quite a bit of chances and the bounces just weren’t there,… Athanasiou said. “Goalies have made some great saves, posts have gotten in the way. “It was just kind of one of those things that just kept happening. I knew eventually one was going to pop in.… Athanasiou utilized his world-class speed well without the puck, an area of his game that is often lacking. “When he uses his speed away from the puck, he’s a lot more effective player,… Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. “I thought his work ethic and compete were good, and he got rewarded with minutes.… The effective cohesion between Larkin and Athanasiou was also readily evident. “I think there’s a lot of speed,… Larkin said of that combination. “I like playing with him. I feel we have good chemistry. Maybe that allows him to be more creative. He’s got tons of speed. He’s really creative. “When you feel like you have someone who is going to find you, you can kind of skate forever. I felt that in my first year playing with Hank (Henrik Zetterberg).… Mantha Out Right-winger Mantha, who leads the Wings with 13 goals, will miss his second straight game with what has been confirmed to be a groin injury. Mantha was hurt during Detroit’s 3-1 loss Dec. 27 at New Jersey. “Just in a battle, just bad luck,… Mantha told MLive.com. “I tried to stretch out for the puck and over-stretched or something.… Mantha participated in Sunday’s morning skate and is targeting Wednesday’s home game against Ottawa as a return date. “Today, it feels good and tomorrow’s going to be a day off, so more rest and then we’ll see how it goes for the next game,… Mantha said. Follow me on Twitter @asktheduffer