Without a goal since the second game of the season, left-winger Justin Abdelkader found himself bounced from the top line of the Detroit Red Wings into the bottom six forwards as the club’s practised Monday.
“We need to shake things up a bit a guess,… said Abdelkader, who acknowledged he needed to bring more to the table than he has been lately.
“Obviously,… Abdelkader said. “I’ve had chances. I haven’t produced how I want. For me I’m just focusing on doing things right out there and playing hard.
“The goal scoring has been down throughout the season five-on-five. We need to find way to get more pucks on net and create traffic. I think I can do a better job around the net and on the forecheck.
“We’re going through a tough time as far as goal scoring five-on-five. The league’s tight. We have to find ways to score and find ways to be better.…
As he prepared his team for Tuesday’s home date against the Washington Capitals, Detroit coach Jeff Blashill warned that it wouldn’t be wise to read too much into the line combinations he utilized Monday.
“We haven’t done anything yet for tomorrow,… Blashill said. “That was for practice today.…
The Detroit coach wanted to see how the injured Pavel Datsyuk (ankle surgery) looked skating on the top line and Blashill indicated that was a reason behind the changes.
“At some point when he gets back, my plan is to play him with (Henrik) Zetterberg at least to start,… Blashill said of Datsyuk. “Those plans can change. That’s our thought right now. We wanted to get him on line with just three guys by themselves.
“Who plays with them, we’ll see.…
Blashill indicated what he must see from Abdelkader going forward.
“What makes Abby special is he is a big body who when he’s at his best is on the forecheck, winning puck battles, skating hard on the track, allowing for good gaps, great net-front presence, winning all puck battles,… Blashill said. “He came into the league as a worker. He was a hard, hard-working guy, kind of a grinder.
“He evolved into a grinder with real good skill, allowing him to play with good, skill players. He’s got to make sure he keeps that working, grinding mentality as he moves forward in his career.
“Like every player, sometimes they get a little bit away from what they’re good at and they have to be reminded to get back to what they’re good at. He’s a winner, he’s been an elite player in this league last year and now we think he can get back to that.…
Banged Up Wings Defenseman Brendan Smith did not skate Monday.
“Smith is ill,… Blashill said. “I don’t know (about his availability for tomorrow).…
The news was much more positive regarding goalie Jimmy Howard and defenseman Jonathan Ericsson. Both were injured in Sunday’s 4-1 loss to Dallas, but are good to go.
Howard was accidentally kicked in the head during a goalmouth scramble and gave way to Petr Mrazek.
“It definitely hurt but everything went away right away,… Howard said. “When I was out there I just couldn’t get my contacts to come back into focus.
“Everything now is so cautious when you take hits to the head. I just came in here and they asked me some questions and I passed everything. Then I switched my contacts out and then I wanted to go back in and they said no.…
Ericsson suffered a 10-stitch cut when checked into the glass by Dallas forward Ales Hemsky. Hemsky was not penalized on the play.
“When I was on the ice it felt like he hit only pretty much my head,… Ericsson said. “Looking at the video, he got a little bit of the side as well, so I don’t know. It’s hard. Hockey is a fast sport.
“You’ve got to make a decision as a referee right away and if you don’t see anything you can’t really call anything.…
Both were cleared to play Tuesday, but Blashill indicated Mrazek would start in goal against the Capitals.
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