As of today, the Detroit Red Wings are back in a Stanley Cup playoff position, and they can thank their veteran presence for that present.
A 3-1 victory Saturday at the Air Canada Centre over the Toronto Maple Leafs enabled the Wings to leapfrog the idle Boston Bruins into third spot in the NHL’s Atlantic Division.
“Well, we’re in it until tomorrow,… Detroit captain Henrik Zetterberg said, correctly pointing out that the Bruins, who hold a game in hand on Detroit, play Sunday at Chicago against the Blackhawks.
Detroit’s final three games include two games against the teams they are duelling for a playoff spot – home Wednesday to the Philadelphia Flyers, who are currently in the NHL’s last Eastern Conference wildcard position, and at Boston on Thursday. They finish up the regular season Saturday at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers and if the Wings win out, they are guaranteed a berth in the playoffs for the 25th consecutive season.
“We knew that we had it in our own hands for the last week, so if we took care of business and win games we’d be in, just because we’re playing teams that are battling for those spots,… Zetterberg said. “But until we play them we have to win games, so those games matter. We’ve done that now and now we just have a nice day off tomorrow and regroup on Monday.…
The Wings got a goal and an assist from each of their two big summer free-agent additions, Brad Richards and Mike Green, the first time all season both had scored in the same game. Defenseman Kyle Quincey also scored.
Jim Dandy While the veterans were delivering the offense, at the other end of the rink, Jimmy Howard, who rode the bench for much of the season, was blocking 32 shots for his fifth win in his last seven decisions.
“You know, it’s just fun being out there competing for the guys, just being back out there and knowing what’s on the line and being in the trenches with the guys,… Howard said. “It’s just a lot of fun.
“That’s why you play the game.…
After struggling in December and January, Howard appears to have found the consistent game he displayed for much of last season until he suffered a groin injury in February.
“I feel really good,… Howard said. “I feel all the hard work with (goalie coach) Jim Bedard is paying off.
“I’m just thankful to have the opportunity and sort of have the ball and run with it a little bit.…
Datsyuk Rumors Both the Red Wings and Pavel Datsyuk’s agent responded to a Hockey Night In Canada report that suggested Datsyuk was considering a return to Russia at the end of the campaign and would not finish out the final season of his contract with the Red Wings.
Detroit GM Ken Holland saw the report on TV and indicated he would not talk to Datsyuk about the rumor until he conclusion of the season.
“I’m going to sit down with all our players at the end of the year one by one and talk to them all,… Holland said. “Obviously I’ll sit down with Pav.…
Holland saw no value to the team in discussing the matter with Datsyuk while the team was in the midst of a fight to make the playoffs.
“We have a game against Philly, our biggest game of the year,… Holland said. “For me to be going and meeting players about next year … it’s about this year.
“We’ll worry about next year when our season is over.…
Dan Milstein, who represents Datsyuk, also indicated that he and Datsyuk would meet with Holland after the season was done.
“Pavel is concentrating on helping his team to make the playoffs and winning another Stanley Cup for the Detroit Red Wings,… Milstein said. “Pavel also has one more year left on his NHL contract.
“We will sit down with Ken Holland at the conclusion of the season for our annual year-end meeting.…
The Red Wings would not make Datsyuk available to the media to talk about the report after Saturday’s game.
Throwback Saturday A reminder of something that the Wings would rather not recall was present on the ice during Saturday’s game.
Dean Morton was one of the two referees. In 1989-90, Morton played his lone NHL game as a defenseman with the Red Wings, scoring a goal in a loss at Calgary.
That was the last season that the Wings did not qualify for the playoffs.
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