This we know for certain – Kyle Quincey (ankle surgery) will be back on defense for the Detroit Red Wings Monday as they face the Los Angeles Kings Monday at the Staples Center.
After that, it gets complicated.
Who is coming out from the defense to make room for Quincey remains uncertain.
“We’ll make those decisions later on,… Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. “We don’t have those decisions made yet so we’ll decide prior to game time.…
As tough a choice as it is to make, Blashill is happy to make the decision.
“From my perspective it’s a good problem,… Blashill said. “The one thing I’ve talked about is having depth within the organization in order to have long-term success. As tight as every team is in the league, the ones that can sustain injuries, the ones that have depth in the organization are the ones that can continue to maybe stay away from long stretches of playing bad hockey.
“These will be difficult decisions but once we have all the information we’ll make it. But I think it’s a positive we’re making decisions based on a number of what we think are real good NHL defensemen.…
Quincey, who hasn’t played since Oct. 23, is chomping at the bit to get back on the ice in a game situation. And he will return to action against the team he played with in 2008-09 following his first stint with the Wings.
“Yeah, double whammy, so it’s always good to come back,… Quincey said. “I’m excited to come back, play these guys, kind of extra special tonight.…
His gameplan is straightforward.
“Personally, it’s just keeping it real simple,… Quincey said. “You can’t practice game situations. There’s nothing like being out there in full speed and everything. “That’s the biggest thing for me, keep it simple and let the game come to me. It’ll get better shift by shift.…
There are still some residual effects from the surgery he underwent, but nothing Quincey figures he won’t be able to handle.
“I’m not 100 per cent, but close,… Quincey said. “I’m far enough along that the medical staff is OK with a little bit (of discomfort) and it’s not going to go back and hurt long term.
“That’s where we’re at and we feel comfortable going forward. So hopefully this keeps getting better.…
Miller’s Mark To create enough salary cap space to activate Quincey from injured reserve, the Wings placed forward Drew Miller on long-term injured reserve. Miller suffered a torn meniscus early in Sunday’s 2-1 win at Anaheim.
Just back from missing 14 games with a fractured jaw, Miller was hurt on a seemingly harmless play on his first shift of Sunday’s game.
“I saw it on video,… Blashill said. “I didn’t see it live.
“It was a fairly innocent play but nonetheless one that happened.…
Even with the time he missed due to his fractured jaw, no NHL forward has blocked more shots since the start of the 2014-15 season than Miller.
Miller has 132 blocked shots in 110 games over that span, three more blocks than David Backes of St. Louis has recorded in 125 games.
Miller led all NHL forwards last season with 99 blocked shots and has led the Wings in blocked shots in each of the past five seasons.
“Miller is a great asset on your hockey team, defensive guys like that are underrated,… Blashill said. “He can sort out the chaos of situations that happen in the course of hockey.
“He’s a great penalty killer. He’ll certainly be a loss.…
Howard’s In Jimmy Howard will make his first start in Detroit’s goal since he was pulled from his last appearance against the Winnipeg Jets. He’s been hooked from his last two starts and in the process, looks to have lost the battle for the No. 1 job to Petr Mrazek.
For the time being, Howard’s focus is merely on righting his own game.
“I’m just working hard every single day, working with (goalie coach) Jimmy (Bedard),… Howard said. “We’re not splitting the atom or anything or re-inventing the wheel, just continuing to work on basics and continue to work hard and bring a positive attitude.…
Together they’ve analyzed his game and come up with an area where they think things have gotten away from Howard.
“It’s just reclaiming the top of the crease,… Howard said. “Just standing there, letting the play come me. It’s easier to do in practice where it’s so structured, so hopefully the hard work is going to transition over into tonight.…
Howard has struggled before and that gives him the inner belief that he’ll find his way out of this latest slump.
“I seem to come out on top more times than not, so as long as I take care of myself and continue to work hard and be positive and not be a Debbie Downer, it’ll be OK,… Howard said. “It’s easy for some guys to do in situations like these and just continue to be a great teammate and push myself and I’m going to play well.…
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