|
Abdelkader Finding His Groove |
|
|
|
|
|
Justin Abdelkader has proven to be a versatile forward for the Detroit Red Wings. He’s filled a top six role, at one time operating as Pavel Datsyuk’s puck-retrieval service. In fact, Datsyuk would often request Abdelkader presence on his line.
Abdelkader has been a fourth-line grinder, brought a physical element and served as a tenacious Detroit checker. So when the 12-season veteran’s numbers were slow to add up this season, Wings coach Jeff Blashill didn’t sweat it. He knew they would come simply because Abdelkader is someone who alway sweats the details.
“I think he’s had a better stretch here in the last 10,” Blashill told DetroitRedWings.com. “I thought he worked hard this summer, I thought he came in leaner, quicker. I thought it showed in his skating, but it just wasn’t quite clicking for him that first stretch like it wasn’t for the rest of our team.
“I think he’s been a real big part of us having success here lately, both five-on-five and on the penalty kill. He’s also had a little bit of power play time.”
Abdelkader has two goals and two assists in the past four games.
As the team emphasized better net-front presence, Abdelkader’s teammates raved about the screen he put on Arizona goaltender Darcy Kuemper on Dennis Cholowski’s power-play goal in Tuesday’s 6-1 win over the Coyotes.
“I think the best one so far was Abby,” winger Anthony Mantha said. “It was a close call, it went our way but the goalie didn’t even have a chance on Cholowski’s goal.”
Mantha and Michael Rasmussen are the first choices to fill that role with the man advantage, but Blashill knows he can always count on Abdelkader to step up and step in the way.
“When he’s done it, he’s done a good job with that,” Blashill said. “The net presence that we saw the other night on the goal, Cholowski’s goal, it was great net presence. That’s something that he’s brought to the table lots but I do think he’s skating real well.”
While appreciative of the compliments, Abdelkader saw it being as much about good fortune as it was about skill.
“Hockey is a game of bounces,” Abdelkader said. "You just want to try to put yourself in the best position to get those bounces and breaks. On the power play in that situation, I’m in the middle there. I’ve got to be ready for any pucks that come around there. I obviously had one there and tried to catch the goalie off guard.
“You just want to try to put yourself in good spots and hope to get some breaks.”
Howie About That?
Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard has won his last five decisions.
That’s his best run of success since he won six in a row from Jan. 12-23, 2012.
Follow me on Twitter @asktheduffer
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»