Detroit Red Wings center Riley Sheahan prefers to focus on the positives of being away from home.
“Sometimes the road can be a grind but at the same time you get to spend some time with the guys,… Sheahan said. “You get a lot of down time in the hotel and some time to rest.
“So it will be fun and I think we’re looking forward to it.…
So far, so good.
Beginning a three-game road trip and a stretch of nine of 10 games away from the friendly confines, Sheahan scored a goal and Luke Glendening potted the game winner in a 3-2 victory over the Nashville Predators Saturday at Bridgestone Arena.
Captain Henrik Zetterberg was another who felt it would be good for the Wings to get away from their comfort zone.
“We’ve been home a lot,… Zetterberg said. “We’re looking forward to spend some time together on the road.…
Home or away, Detroit coach Jeff Blashill figures as long as his team sticks to the process and with their structure, where they play should be irrelevant in relation to success.
“I think every game in this league is a huge challenge,… Blashill said. “If you’re at home or on the road, it’s a huge challenge. I think we have lots of confidence that we can go on the road and win. We’ve done it already this year. I think it comes down to playing good hockey. Obviously there’s some buildings that are tough and we’re going to go into some tough buildings but it still comes down to who executes at a higher level.
“I think lots of teams in the league have proven they can win on the road. I think we’ve proven it, but we better go prove it here in this next stretch.…
Rare Scoring Sheahan has now scored in two straight games after going 15 games without a goal but because Sheahan is so responsible defensively, Blashill isn’t as focused on the totals next to Sheahan’s name in the goal column, because he enables his linemates to focus on creativity.
“He is the safety net, he’s always above (the puck),… Blashill said. “He allows those guys (on his line) to be creative offensively because they know they have him above.
“He is an extremely good defensive player, he’s also the net-front presence on the line, and he’s also done a pretty good job on faceoffs. He’s also got an ability to make plays in small areas.…
Glendening is another for who goals have come at a premium. Saturday’s tally was his second of the season, and his first in 13 games.
As the fourth-line center and one of the team’s top penalty-killing forwards, Glendening understands goals aren’t his main priority, but after scoring 12 times last season, he feels the need to produce more.
“You’ve got to work hard for goals, especially in this league,… Glendening said. “It’s nice to see when they go in, but we’ve got to be able to play good defense and protect one-goal leads.…
Smith Stepping Up Defenseman Brendan Smith, who netted his second goal of the season, appears to have carved out a regular role with the Wings. A healthy scratch three times this season, Smith has been an ever-present in the Detroit lineup the past 11 games.
“First of all, I think Smitty’s game management has been really good,… Blashill explained. “I think he’s taken what’s given. I think he’s made plays when he’s had opportunities to make plays. He can get up in the offense, and be real active in the O-zone.
“He’s an offensive instinct type player and I think he’s coupled that by making good decisions in his own zone, good decisions in the neutral zone and he’s got a toughness and an edge to him. He punches back when people try to punch you. I think that’s an important part of the team.…
Crazy Eighties Tomas Nosek’s debut as a Red Wing wearing sweater No. 83 brought to four the number of Detroit players who have skated in an NHL game for the team wearing a number in the 80s.
There was No. 85 Petr Klima from 1985-89 and again from 1998-99. Marian Hossa wore No. 81 in 2008-09, his one season as a Red Wing and Tomas Kopecky was No. 82, also during the 2008-09 campaign.
Nosek, who skated on the fourth line with Luke Glendening and Joakim Andersson, planned to play the same style of two-way game that worked for him in the AHL with Grand Rapids.
“I don’t have so much points but my job is penalty kill and be good two-way player, so I try to do that,… said Nosek, who had 2-5-7 totals in 25 games with the Griffins. “I get chances, too, but sometimes you can score from everywhere and sometimes you can’t score.…
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