If the Detroit Red Wings do indeed get Darren Helm back for Thursday’s game at Florida against the Panthers, the other question of note will be if the forward line of Helm with Pavel Datsyuk in the middle and Tomas Tatar on the left wing can get their mojo back?
That trio was on a solid roll when Helm went out with an oblique strain Feb. 28 at Nashville and finding a third wheel for the group minus Helm has proven problematic.
“I thought that line was great when he was playing with Pav and Tats,… Detroit right-winger Gustav Nyquist said. “He gives them a lot of energy and gets them a lot of pucks and that rubs off on the other lines.
“Just the energy he brings to every game himself rubs off on other people. He’s a real good player and real important to our team.…
While nothing is etched in stone yet in terms of Helm’s status for Thursday, he suspects that absent a setback prior to game time, he’ll be good to go.
“As long as it doesn’t hurt tomorrow or the next day, I’m feeling pretty good the last while,… Helm said. “Hopefully I’ve taken enough time off where it feels good enough to play.…
Helm is also curious to see if their unit can pick up where it left off when he was hurt.
“We did finish off on a pretty good note,… Helm said. “We were buzzing pretty good and producing.
“All we can hope for is we get back out there together and find a way to click and win some hockey games.…
In the seven games without Helm, Datsyuk has tallied one goal and Tatar has not scored, adding to Helm’s frustration.
“It’s always tough being out,… Helm said. “It’s always tough watching your teammates go out there and battle so hard while you’re sitting in the room just watching.
“I definitely want to get out there and help them and be part of the team again.…
Back Where He Belongs Detroit coach Mike Babcock tried both Tomas Jurco and Luke Glendening in Helm’s spot, but in Sunday’s 5-1 win over Pittsburgh, Glendening was back in his usual role as the club’s fourth-line center.
“We put him back in the right spot so we had a line that can play against anybody,… Babcock said. “We need Glennie doing what Glennie does, wearing and tearing on the other team and driving people crazy.
“It makes us a better team.…
Mrazek Back To Back After a solid 42-save performance in the win at Pittsburgh, Babcock will stay with Petr Mrazek in goal Thursday against the Panthers, going with Jimmy Howard Friday at Tampa Bay.
“I’ve said it a number of times, what we’ve asked him to do is work on his skill set, continue to work on his skill set, be NHL-skilled,… Babcock said of Mrazek. “There’s no question about his moxie and his ability to play the puck, but I thought he played real well for us the other night.
“It’s important back-to-back that we go with two goalies, so Howie will have the opportunity in Tampa. But Mrazek played real well the other night and got us a win. He’s going the next game.…
Light Load After a day off Monday, the Wings held an optional skate and several of the club’s veterans opted out.
“Our 35-and-plus group wasn’t on the ice,… Babcock said. “We’ve given our players quite a few days off, our older players, this month to get them freshened up the best we possibly can. We’ll continue to do that.…
With just a month until the playoffs begin, Babcock wants to offer his vets as much R&R as is possible.
“There’s no time for that for the rest of the way basically now,… Babcock said. “We play every second day, so it’s a matter of them living right. It’s not a long period of time.
“You’ve got to eat right, you’ve got to sleep right, you’ve got to drink right, and you’ve got to play right.…
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