Coming off one fast-paced game against an Original Six rival, the Detroit Red Wings are anticipating a similar storyline to unfold as they play host to the Montreal Canadiens Sunday at Joe Louis Arena.
“I think when we played them in Montreal (a 2-1 overtime loss on Oct. 21), they were probably one of the best teams we’ve played so far,… Detroit captain Henrik Zetterberg said. “They’re really high paced, good on the power play, and have good goaltending. Overall just one of the top teams in the league.…
Detroit played perhaps its best game of the season Friday in dismantling the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1, but know they’ll face an equally tough test in the Canadiens, who have won five straight.
“They play well, they score on the power play, and they’re fun to watch,… Detroit center Pavel Datsyuk. “It will be a good game, a good test for us.…
A large number of Chicago fans made the trek to Detroit for Friday’s game and the Wings expect an armada of Habs supporters to cross the border from Canada to watch their heroes in action.
“It’s fun to play against those guys,… Detroit left-winger Tomas Tatar said. “They have a good crowd always coming here to the Joe. They’re playing real well, so we have to play our best game. It’s going to be a fun night for sure.…
Tatar thinks the combination of the way both teams play with pace and skill should make for an entertaining evening.
“They’re creating a lot of offense,… Tatar said of the Habs. “It’s nice hockey for the fans. Hopefully we won’t let them score as much, shut them down and try to create some offense for us.…
In Montreal it’s traditionally known as fire wagon hockey, but Detroit coach Mike Babcock doesn’t appreciate that brand being place upon his club.
“I don’t think we play fire wagon, but I like us to play fast,… Babcock said. “I like us to be in attack mode. I’m not a big believer that you defend leads, I think you play the game like it’s tied all the time. You put your foot on the gas and go get the opposition.…
The Wings will make one change from the lineup that defeated Chicago, inserting defenseman Brian Lashoff for Jakub Kindl, who did not see the ice the second half of Friday’s victory.
“He’s scratched today,… was all Babcock said about Kindl, confirming that the defenseman was not injured.
Jimmy Howard gets the start in goal, but Babcock indicated they’ll probably look at the schedule to determine when to give Petr Mrazek, who was recalled Saturday for Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League to fil in for Jonas Gustavsson, out with a separated shoulder, his first start of the season.
“There’s always a plan,… Babcock said. “We talked about it this morning, but Howie’s playing good and we’ve got space in between, so there’s no rush.…
Mantha Tallies
In his second game as a pro, Detroit rookie Anthony Mantha tallied his first goal to open the scoring Saturday against the Texas Stars, but Wings fans shouldn’t expect that the club’s top pick in the 2014 NHL entry draft is on a fast track to the show.
“I heard he scored a goal, someone told me that,… Babcock said. “He’s a kid, he’s been out, he missed training camp, he missed everything.
“I imagine he’ll be down there for the year, but only time will tell. That’s up to himself.…
Mantha took a feed from Teemu Pulkkinen on the edge the goal crease and stuffed the puck home just inside the far post.
“It was an easy goal,… Mantha said. “I just had to tap it in.…
Howe Update
The news is not as good where Wings legend Gordie Howe is concerned.
Howe, 86, already ailing with latter-stage dementia, suffered a stroke last month and while originally he was making progress in his recovery, his health has taken a rapid downturn the past week.
“We had a week to 10 days of encouraging progress after Dad’s stroke,… said his son, Wings pro scout Mark Howe. “The last 10 days have been difficult. His health is trending in the opposite direction. Right now it’s a lot for Dad to handle.…
Besides the stroke and dementia, Howe is also dealing with significant back pain that has left him bedridden.
“His pain has been making his blood pressure fluctuate to dangerous levels,… Mark Howe said. "They have to keep him sedated to keep things under control.…
Howe also suffered another small stroke last week, which the family believes is the seventh or eighth stroke that Gordie has suffered.
“Anybody in the stage of dementia he is, you have issues with anxiety,… Mark Howe said. “All these issues make the dementia worse."
The family is hopeful that an epidural injection into Howe’s lower spine will alleviate the excruciating back pain. The problem: He would have stop his other medications first, and that could cause other severe consequences.
“He’s in so much pain he can’t tolerate it,… Mark Howe said. “It’s not a good situation, obviously. We don’t like watching him suffer. We’re doing what we have to do. We’re hoping and praying. We just don’t want him to suffer. If we can’t get rid of his back pain it’s going to be extremely difficult rehabbing the way he was 10 days ago.
“It’s a continuing fight. We’re just trying to give Dad the best chance to continue his road to recovery. He has a number of health issues working against him. We’re hoping that alleviating the pain will take care of the blood pressure. He had that issue even before the stroke.
“Hopefully get the epidural going and then within a week we should know which way he’s headed. There is still fight in him. We’re trying to give him the best chance.…
Follow Bob Duff on Twitter: @asktheduffer