Well into his fourth season of professional hockey and following 118 minor-league games, Jared Coreau will get his first NHL opportunity Saturday as he makes the start in goal for the Detroit Red Wings at Pittsburgh against the Penguins, and he was frank and honest about what was going on in his insides as the moment approached.
“It’s a combination of readiness, nervousness, excitement and anxiousness,… Coreau said. “I can’t hide it. I was surprised I got to bed around 11 last night, so that was good. I was able to shut that off.
“I’m just excited to get the first game. So yeah, I’m ready to go.…
Debuting his 25-year-old rookie goalie against the defending Stanley Cup champions might seem like he’s throwing a sheep to the wolves but naturally, Detroit coach Jeff Blashill viewed it differently.
“I think you’ve got to start and you’ve got to play and whoever you play against, no matter who we play against, it’s going to be a good team,… Blashill said. “There’s no teams in the NHL that aren’t real good hockey teams.…
Coreau played at Pittsburgh in the preseason and that fact also played into Blashill’s decision to go with him Saturday.
“He was in here in the preseason and I think felt comfortable in this building so we said, ‘Let’s give him a shot,’… Blashill said. “He’s worked extremely hard to put his skill set into position to be successful, now he needs to go execute.…
Coreau also felt that level of comfort with PPG Paints Arena would also aid in his transition to the show.
“I think playing in this building especially was good, so I got to see it and have a little bit of a feel for the atmosphere,… Coreau said. “It’ll be different tonight in regular season. I got to see some of their big guns.…
At the same time, Coreau can’t be standing between the pipes tonight and be thinking, ‘Wow. That’s Sidney Crosby.’
“It’s another hockey game,… Coreau said. “I can’t overthink it. I’ve got to go in there and play and have some fun.…
And whatever the outcome, people shouldn’t base their assessment of Coreau on his first night’s work in the NHL.
“One game doesn’t make a career by any stretch of the imagination,… Blashill said. “If he comes and plays great, it doesn’t mean that he’s going to have an unreal career, and if he comes and doesn’t play great, it doesn’t mean he’s not going to have an unreal career.
“But in terms of tonight’s game, he just needs to have that narrow focus of trying to win a hockey game tonight.…
Moving On Up Justin Abdelkader’s loss is Tomas Jurco’s gain. With Abdelkader (knee injury) on the shelf, Jurco moves up to the second line alongside Frans Nielsen and Luke Glendening.
“Riley Sheahan may take some time up there as well,… Blashill said. “I kind of split both of those guys. But I’ll keep Sheahan at the center position a little bit to start the game, and it gives Jurco some opportunity.
“Jurcs, in his first game (back from shoulder surgery) I thought he was excellent. I thought he was good the last game. I think he’s somebody that can provide skill but also a hard forecheck and get to the net.…
Jurco doesn’t like how he got the opportunity but that won’t keep him from trying to make the most of it.
“Unfortunately Abby got hurt so I can’t really say I’m happy about it but anywhere I play I’m going to try to do my best and be the best player that I can be,… Jurco said.
“I’m going to try to forecheck hard as well and do all the stuff that I’d be doing on the other lines but of course when I get a chance I’m going to try to score.…
Adding A Pair Though neither is likely to play, the Wings recalled defenseman Brian Lashoff and forward Tomas Nosek from AHL Grand Rapids to provide depth for their three-game road trip that gets underway with this game.
“Lash is somebody who had a real good training camp,… Blashill said. “Actually, I thought he had a great training camp. He blocks shots on the penalty kill, so the way we kill penalties that’s critical, our D blocks shots and he does a real good job of that, so if he has to go in I’ve got lots of confidence that he can go in and do a real good job.
“He’s played lots of games in the NHL. He’s a good defensemen.
“Nosek, again, last year when he got called up I thought he did a very good job. He’s sound defensively, he knows the way we want to play hockey and if he needs to go in I think he’ll do a real good job.
“I’ve got lots of confidence in both guys.…
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