As big as the late rally for Tuesday’s 4-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers was, as huge as the three power-play goals were in the outcome, the most significant news for the Detroit Red Wings might have been the opening goal from Kyle Quincey and a later assist by Niklas Kronwall.
When it comes to defensive production this season, the Wings simply aren’t getting it. As they ready to take the ice for Wednesday’s game at Calgary against the Flames, the team ranks 22nd in the NHL with 14 goals from defenseman and 18th in the league with 72 points from their rearguard.
“That matters to me a lot,… Detroit coach Mike Babcock admitted. “We work on it every single day. You can ask our D.…
A team that in recent seasons enjoyed the offensive touch of the likes of Nicklas Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski and over the years has featured the likes of Paul Coffey, Red Kelly, Marcel Pronovost and Flash Hollett as part of their defensive corps, the Wings simply don’t have that type of elite skill among their current back end group.
Kronwall leads the Detroit defense with 5-18-23 totals, which places him 19th among NHL defenders.
“We don’t have a dynamic offensive guy on the back,… Babcock said. “Kronwall’s a real good high-end player, but he’s never been (Ottawa’s Erik) Karlsson, for example, or any of those kinds of guys. That’s just what it is.…
People expecting more of an offensive upside from third-year pro Danny DeKeyser, who is second among the team’s defenders with 2-13-15 numbers, are likely to be disappointed.
“I saw him play nine times in college (at Western Michigan) and I never saw him do any of that,… Babcock said. “So we didn’t really expect that.
“We expected a guy who skated real good, had a great stick, was real good defensively and obviously moves the puck better than we anticipated. He’s got a long way to go to be a star on the offensive blue-line, but he’s such a good player, such a high-end player, with great hockey IQ that he makes good decisions for us.…
Minus a defender possessed with elite attacking skills, the Wings will prioritize getting the puck in the hands of their talented forward group.
“I think every team is made up differently, so what you try to do is focus on your strengths and improve your weaknesses and get better as a team,… Babcock said. “We’re focusing on having four guys in on the rush. We’re focused on being heavy in the offensive zone and having our D be active.
“The bottom line is sometimes you are what you are.…
Jurco Out Right-winger Tomas Jurco will miss Wednesday’s game after back spasms took him out during the win at Edmonton. Jurco indicated his back has been ailing him for a few days.
“It’s been a little sore for a while and last night it got really bad," Jurco said. "I just had to get out of the game.…
His status is listed as day to day. Joakim Andersson is expected to draw into Jurco’s spot in the lineup against the Flames.
Abdelkader Hot Garnering a goal and an assist in the win over Edmonton, left-winger Justin Abdelkader equalled his career high for goals with 10 in just 33 games.
“He’s been good all year,… Detroit captain Henrik Zetterberg said. “It’s been fun to play with him, he works really hard.
“I don’t think he gets enough credit. He creates a lot of open space for his teammates.…
Babcock views Abdelkader as someone he can count on and trust.
“He’s a good player and he can play with and without the puck,… Babcock said. “You can play him against the best people. He knows how to play in all situations. He penalty kills, and plays the power play for us.
“He’s an important young player for us.…
Eight of Abdelkader’s 10 goals have come away from Joe Louis Arena.
“For whatever reason I’ve always scored more goals on the road,… Abdelkader said. “I don’t know what it is. I’ve got to try to change it up.
“I always enjoy playing in Western Canada.…
Mrazek Starts Jimmy Howard gets the night off as Babcock will give Petr Mrazek the nod in goal.
It will be Mrazek’s first start since a 6-3 home-ice win over Buffalo on Dec. 23, but Babcock isn’t concerned about rust inhibiting his young netminder.
“I don’t spend a whole lot of time worrying about it,… Babcock said. “I just know in this league when you get your starts, you’ve got to win or else you don’t get the starts.
“His job is to be a pro and be ready. We’ve got a good goalie coach (Jim Bedard) and they work hard.…
Zetterberg Milestone Zetterberg will become just the 15th player to suit up for 800 games as a Red Wing when he takes the ice Wednesday in Calgary.
“Z is a great guy off the ice as well as on it and he’s our leader in this room,… linemate Gustav Nyquist said. “It feels great to be able to play with him; it’s a great opportunity for me.
“He’s one of the best players in the world and when you play with him you get to have the puck a lot. That’s what he does, keeps the puck away from the opponents and he makes real good plays. Obviously, when you get to play with a player like him, it gives you a good confidence boost and I just hope that I can take advantage of it as much as possible.…
Red Wings 800 Club Gordie Howe 1,687* Nicklas Lidstrom 1,564 Alex Delvecchi0 1,549* Steve Yzerman 1,514* Kris Draper 1,137 Tomas Holmstrom 1,026 Marcel Pronovost 983* Sergei Fedorov 908 Kirk Maltby 908 Norm Ullman 875* Ted Lindsay 862* Nick Libett 861 Pavel Datsyuk 853 Red Kelly 846* *Indicates enshrined members of Hockey Hall of Fame
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