It isn’t time for panic in Hockeytown, but coach Mike Babcock wouldn’t mind if his Detroit Red Wings found themselves a little urgency.
Out of sorts since they returned from a successful 4-1-1 western road trip at the beginning of the month, the Wings have come into March like lambs and have been fortunate to be 2-3 in the month so far. It could be much worse.
Goalie Jimmy Howard stole them a win against the New York Rangers and the team awoke from a horrid first period to rally and defeat the Edmonton Oilers.
“I don’t think panic and urgency are in any way the same thing but there’s got to be a level of urgency,… Babcock said. “We’ve got to play better. We’ve got to do a better job and everyone’s got to dig in.
“So when we all decide that it’s urgent enough to dig in hard enough, we’ll find a way to win a game.…
There’s a fine line between winning and losing in the NHL and at the moment, the Wings aren’t toeing the line, they are committing too many faults.
“I think we’ve got to pay attention to details a little bit better and things will come for us,… Howard said. “It seems like every team goes through this at some point in the season and we just happen to be going through it right now.…
What they are going through, in Babcock’s opinion, is troublesome.
“We haven’t been very good, period,… Babcock said. “We’re not executing, we’re not playing with enough pace. It’s just not smooth. It’s not fluid.
“Last night (in a 3-1 loss to Columbus), I didn’t think we executed in the D zone early and I think we made some mistakes in our own zone. You can’t do that, but just our whole game we haven’t been as fluid as we need to be to have the success that we need every night, so we have to get back at it.
“I just think that we just haven’t looked like we’ve had a ton of energy. We’re not playing with much pace. Those things happen, but you’ve got to make them short when they do happen. To me, we’ve let this go too long, it’s time to dig in and get playing.…
Helm Out The Wings won’t be able to count on a lift from the return of the pesky, speedy Darren Helm as they launch a four-game road trip Saturday afternoon at Philadelphia against the Flyers. The oblique injury suffered by the Detroit forward will keep him out at least one more game.
“I’m going on the trip, but I probably won’t play tomorrow,… Helm said. “I’ll get a good skate in on Saturday and we’ll see how likely it is that I can play Sunday.
“Things are definitely moving in the right direction.…
It’s been a slow, steady progression for Helm in his rehab from the injury, but he’s certain it won’t be much longer until he’s good to go.
“I haven’t any days where I’ve had leaps in my recovery, but each day it seems like it’s getting better and better,… Helm said. ‘I can do more and more.
“I’m happy with it and we’ll just keep pushing forward.…
Philly Frustration The Wings haven’t won a regular-season game in Philadelphia since 1997. On the other hand, Howard has never lost there.
He’ll make his first NHL start in the City of Brotherly Love, so perhaps that will be the elixir the Wings require to solve their Philly follies.
“You know about it just because it’s been so long,… Howard of their slump in Philadelphia. “We definitely know about it but it’s not something we think about, that’s for sure. It’s not something I think about.…
Philadelphia is the one NHL city where Howard has never played a game.
“I’m looking forward to it,… Howard said. “It’s my first time being able to play in Philly. I’m excited. I can’t wait for it.…
While working as a back-up goalie seated on the Detroit bench, Howard has learned plenty about Flyers fans and their unique perspective on the ways of the world.
“The fans are nuts, they take it to another level,… Howard said. “They never stop yelling at the opposing team. It makes for a great atmosphere. It’s fun. When their fans are into it, it makes it that much more fun to participate in the game.…
“I’ve heard a lot there just sitting there charting faceoffs for Babs. It’s fun. Most of it is funny. It’s all in good nature.…
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