As the Detroit Pistons prepared to face the Cleveland Cavaliers Tuesday, Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy discussed the daunting challenge of dealing with Cavs superstar LeBron James.
“There’s a whole laundry list of things he can do to you and they’re all bad,… Van Gundy said.
Wednesday, as the Detroit Red Wings prepared to face the Washington Capitals at Joe Louis Arena, coach Jeff Blashill and his team found themselves dealing with a similar scenario - how to deal with a problem called Alexander Ovechkin?
“That’s a great comparison,… Blashill said of the LeBron/Ovi parallel. “I should call Stan and get some tips.…
Like James, there’s a myriad of ways in which Ovechkin can hurt an opponent, a lengthy drop down menu of pain he prepares on a nightly basis.
“He just has such an incredible shot,… said Detroit defenseman Mike Green, for a decade Ovechkin’s teammate in Washington. “You can put it right between his legs and he’s going to get it off pretty good.
“He’s just one of those players that pucks bounce to him. He’s got good eye-hand coordination and he’s definitely got some moves up his sleeve. You’ve just to be aware of him.
“The key now is to make sure he doesn’t shoot the puck.…
Easier said than done. Last Tuesday, Ovechkin – who with his next goal with surpass former Wing Sergei Fedorov (483) as the NHL’s all-time leading Russian-born goal scorer – pounded 15 shots on Detroit goalie Petr Mrazek during a 1-0 Wings victory.
Blashill, who joked at the time that they were trying to tire out Ovechkin’s arms, indicated they’d have a different plan for dealing with Ovechkin this time around.
“I can’t reveal that plan, though,… Blashill said. “That’s a secret.…
Actually, it isn’t all that secretive. Like any great player, the key to slowing down Ovechkin in the danger zone is to take away his time and space. But it’s a plan that in its implementation is easier said than done.
“Some guys just have that gift of knowing where to be, knowing where the puck’s going to be and when they get it, it comes off their stick like nothing else,… Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall said. “He doesn’t need that extra time that most guys do. He’s able to fire it whether it comes off his front leg or his back leg, whatever.…
After shutting out the Caps in their last appearance in Detroit, Mrazek will again get the nod in goal and is inspired by the challenge of thwarting Ovechkin.
“You have to be big in the net and do the smallest thing I can do,… Mrazek said. “Be ready and hope he’s going to hit you sometimes when you don’t see the puck.…
He’s also not anxious to get his name listed as a footnote to Ovechkin’s record tally.
“Nobody wants to let that goal in,… Mrazek said. “I will do my best.
“He tried it three games ago and tonight he’s going to try it again.…
Jurco Down The Wings assigned struggling right-winger Tomas Jurco to their AHL farm club in Grand Rapids for a conditioning stint.
Jurco, 22, is goalless in four games this season with one assist. Last season, he scored just three goals in 63 games.
He is slated to suit up for the Griffins Wednesday as they face the Rockford IceHogs.
Mrazek in goal is the only change for Detroit from the team that posted a 4-3 overtime win Monday at Ottawa. The Wings will go with the exact same forward lines and defense pairings as were utilized in that game.
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