The Detroit Red Wings will stay with the same lineup for Tuesday’s Game 4 at Joe Louis Arena that beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0 in Game 3 of their Stanley Cup opening-round series, and that means once again Alexey Marchenko is the choice on defense over the more experienced Kyle Quincey, even if Detroit coach Jeff Blashill doesn’t see it that way.
“I’d start off again by saying we have seven good defensemen, so we’ve got to choose six,… Blashill said. “Why Alexey in that spot? When Alexey is on top of his game, he’s a really, really good defender, very, very smart defensively.
“It starts with tight gaps. I think against a line like (Tyler) Johnson you have to have tight gaps, otherwise you’re in trouble if you give them space. And he’s also got a real good ability to pass the puck under pressure. That’s probably something that doesn’t get seen right away, but he can handle forecheck pressure and make real good plays.
“What he’s had to do is learn to manage that part of his game and not make any hope plays, only make the plays that he sees. Overall, I’d say his ability to defend and his ability to break the puck out.…
Bloodied But Unbowed Marchenko was sporting a 12-stitch cut on his head, the result of a hard check from Tampa Bay’s Vladislav Namestnikov in Game 3.
Marchenko took no issue with the check, feeling the damage inflicted was merely the result of unfortunate circumstances.
“I think so,… Marchenko said when asked if the hit was fair. “I wouldn’t say that it was really bad. It was just maybe a bad moment; my helmet went off a little bit. So it just happens.…
Marchenko stumbled his way to the Detroit bench but indicated there was never any issue with dizziness.
“It was bloody on my visor, so I kind of like need to figure out what to do because I couldn’t see with all the blood,… he explained.
Marchenko also wasn’t wasting his time expending any energy pondering why he was still in the lineup when in past shuffles, it’s generally been him and Brendan Smith who switched places.
“I think every time that you step out onto the ice you have to do your best to not get scored on, to help your team to score,… Marchenko said. “So it doesn’t really matter against who you play, you just need to help your team to win.…
Andersson Delivers Wings fans might wonder why veteran center Joakim Andersson was recalled from AHL Grand Rapids in time to suit up for the playoffs, but the Wings don’t.
“He came back here and he’s playing great for us,… Detroit defenseman Jonathan Ericsson said. “He made some really nice moves here the last game setting it up for AA.
“He’s valuable for us. You always know what you’ll get from him. He’s a hard-working guy. You can count on him every night.
“It’s good to have him back.…
Andersson steps his offensive game up in the playoffs as well. He averages .17 points per game during the regular season but that jumps to .32 per game in the playoffs.
“I’ve had a chance to put a couple of points up here and there,… Andersson said. “That’s good.
“I’ve played some playoff games in this league and in some other leagues as well, so I know what it’s about. It’s a little different than the regular season.
“I was confident when they called me up that I could come in and do a job.…
Skating on a line with Andreas Athanasiou and Tomas Tatar in Game 3, Andersson’s knack for making plays in traffic was evident when he slid a perfect set-up pass Athanasiou, who one-timed what proved to be the game-winning goal.
“I think those plays are the most toughest in hockey and most helpful,… Tatar said of Andersson’s ability to pass the puck in tight quarters. “I think we just have to find open spots and those little passes can create chaos in the O zone, and that's what we did and scored a goal.…
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