As they prepared to face the San Jose Sharks Thursday at the SAP Center, the Detroit Red Wings got an emotional boost at the morning skate as injured captain Henrik Zetterberg took to the ice.
“It was fun to be out on the ice again,… said Zetterberg, who has missed two games while suffering from concussion-like symptoms after being punched in the head by Dallas captain Jamie Benn in Saturday’s game. “That’s the step I’m going to take.…
Zetterberg took to the ice later into the skate and toured around the rink for about 10 minutes.
“I got a little symptoms still, but it’s significantly better than last time,… said Zetterberg, who talked it over with team officials before donning his skates.
“I think we had a discussion, all of us, about what to do today,… Zetterberg said. “We agreed I got be out for 10 minutes on the ice and skate a little bit, see how it feels.
“Hopefully I can do more tomorrow.…
Detroit coach Mike Babcock wasn’t surprised to see his captain back on skates and out on the ice just days after he was forced to leave the Dallas game following two periods of play.
“I don’t think we ever really – I mean you’re always concerned – but I don’t think anybody was really worried much about it,… Babcock said of the seriousness of Zetterberg’s injury. “It looks to me like he’ll be playing (Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena) against the (New York) Rangers.…
Zetterberg was less certain about his return date.
“I think we’ll know tomorrow what I can do tomorrow and then I’m going to think about what I’m going to do the next day,… Zetterberg said. “I haven’t really thought about what game or anything like that. I just take it day by day.…
Defenseman Kyle Quincey (bone chips in ankle) and forward Johan Franzen (concussion) also remain out of the Wings lineup.
Howard Returns Jimmy Howard will get the start in goal Thursday. He got the night off in favour of backup Jonas Gustavsson in Tuesday’s 1-0 loss at Los Angeles.
Recently returned to action following a lengthy absence due to a groin tear, Howard welcomed the night’s rest.
“Every time you come off from a long injury you’re really excited to get back in there and then it seems like after several games it sort of catches up with you a little bit,… Howard said. “It was ice to have a couple of days off and I’m looking forward to getting back out there.…
The last thing Howard wants to do is push it and reinjure his groin.
“You’ve still got to be cautious,… Howard said. “You don’t want to overdo it too quick.
“It was good. Monster (Gustavsson) played extremely well for us the other night in L.A. and probably deserved a better outcome. Sometimes that’s the breaks.…
He’ll return following two difficult starts for him. Howard was pulled in the third period of Saturday’s 7-6 overtime win over the Stars after allowing all six goals and he surrendered three goals in less than four minutes in the third period of Detroit’s 4-3 loss to Anaheim, losing in the shootout that night for the eighth time in nine decisions.
Babcock insisted he has no worries about his No. 1 goalie, figuring Howard is still dealing with some rust from his long injury-induced absence.
“What Howie does is Howie gives us a swagger,… Babcock said. “When he’s on top of his game, feeling like he can feel, it resonates – that might not be the right word – it’s contagious if that makes sense, it goes through the whole team and it helps us feel good about who we are.
“That’s what every goalie needs. You want to have your runs as long as you can. There’s going to be ups and downs and we need him to find his consistent form and I have no doubt he will. He’s just got to get going. His ideal game is the Chicago game (4-3 shootout win with lots of work early).
“He’s not having that game every night. We’ve got to play better in front of him and he’s got to do better as well.…
Isn’t That Tampering? Babcock was asked if he still viewed San Jose forward Patrick Marleau, who helped him win the Olympic gold medal a year ago with Canada at the Sochi Winter Games, as the same productive player he was at that time.
“I do for sure,… Babcock said. “Patty’s a good man. If you don’t want him just call us.
“He’s a good player to me. We’ll take him.…
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