Though they don’t see as much of each other as in past seasons, the ire between the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks has not faded.
“These were the games you were looking forward to the most every year,… Detroit defenseman Jonathan Ericsson said of the days when the Wings and Blackhawks both populated the NHL’s Western Conference’s Central Division. “Tough games, fast-paced games. They have a good team, we have a good team and they’re always good games. It’s a good rivalry between us.…
They’ll meet Friday at Joe Louis Arena for the first time this season. It’s a lesser rivalry since last season, when the Wings relocated to the Eastern Conference. They only see Chicago twice a season now, but the games remain as intense and as fierce as ever.
“I miss them,… Ericsson said. “Those were the fun games. We’ll find new competitors and rivals in the East, but I sure miss playing these guys.
“It’s always special. It’s a fast game always. It’s a game with a lot of battles in it. There’s a rivalry. If I would say the one team that I miss the most from the West, it’s Chicago.…
The history between these two teams, who both joined the NHL in 1926 and who met in the playoffs as recently as 2013, when Chicago won a second-round set by rallying from the 3-1 series deficit and taking Game 7 in overtime, ensures that the passion doesn’t fade.
“Just the battles we’ve had with them, whether it’s been playoff or regular season, they always seem to be really good games,… Detroit left-winger Justin Abdelkader said. “Both teams have been competitive since I’ve been here and it’s been real exciting to play these guys.…
It’s an excitement that spreads beyond the ice surface.
“I think both fan bases when we play each other, the fans are on edge,… Abdelkader said. “I think it makes for a great atmosphere, whether it’s here at the Joe or at the United Center.…
The Wings will come into the contest well rested, not having seen game action since Sunday.
“It was a good break,… Detroit left-winger Drew Miller said. We got to recharge the batteries and be ready to go.…
Detroit will welcome the return of center Pavel Datsyuk, who missed the last game due to a groin injury. He will skate on a line between Abdeldader and right-winger Tomas Jurco, who is back in after a three-game sitdown as a healthy scratch.
Detroit coach Mike Babcock hopes to ignite Jurco, goalless in 12 games this season, by skating him alongside Datsyuk.
“He was playing great when he left and anytime you get leg injuries or groin injuries, to me, it’s not like a shoulder if your legs are going and you come back,… Babcock said of Datsyuk. “So we’ll see what happens here tonight.
“Abby and him seem to play real well together. We put Jurcs there to give them more speed. Let’s see what happens.…
Detroit’s other lines and defense pairings from Friday’s morning skate:
Gustav Nyquist - Henrik Zetterberg - Johan Franzen Tomas Tatar - Riley Sheahan - Darren Helm Drew Miller - Luke Glendening - Joakim Andersson
Niklas Kronwall - Jonathan Ericsson Danny DeKeyser - Kyle Quincey Jakub Kindl - Brendan Smith
Jimmy Howard starts in goal, backed up by Thomas McCollum. Scratches are Daniel Cleary, Brian Lashoff, Stephen Weiss (groin) and Jonas Gustavsson (shoulder).