Detroit Red Wings Clips March 5, 2015

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1 Detroit Red Wings Clips March 5, 2015 Detroit Red Wings PAGE 2 Babcock to new Wings Cole, Zidlicky: Just play naturally PAGE 3 Lidstrom weighs how much?? Homer brings word from Sweden PAGE 4 Zetterberg, Wings welcome NYR for first home game in awhile PAGE 6 Sharp: Zidlicky's OT goal for Wings scores 1 for prudence PAGE 8 Detroit 2, N.Y. Rangers 1 (OT): Why the Red Wings won PAGE 9 Wings' Zetterberg cleared to play vs. Rangers PAGE 10 Babcock hopes new line lights fire under Jurco PAGE 12 Red Wings' Tomas Jurco looks to end drought while playing on line with Pavel Datsyuk, Tomas Tatar PAGE 14 Wings outplayed, but Howard, Zidlicky come to rescue PAGE 17 Cole, Zidlicky face the many details of Wings' style PAGE 19 Red Wings' lineup vs. Rangers: Henrik Zetterberg returns to lineup as Erik Cole, Marek Zidlicky debut PAGE 21 Who: Detroit Red Wings ( ) vs. New York Rangers ( ) PAGE 22 Detroit Red Wings Gameday: Both teams sport new look as Rangers visit to Joe Louis Arena PAGE 24 Oddsmakers don't see two trades improving Detroit Red Wings' odds of winning Stanley Cup PAGE 25 Marek Zidlicky gives Red Wings defense different dimension and scores winning goal in debut PAGE 27 Red Wings 2, Rangers 1 (OT): Marek Zidlicky nets winner in debut as Jimmy Howard strong in goal PAGE 28 Zidlicky's OT goal gives Detroit Red Wings win over Rangers PAGE 29 Duff: Zidlicky nets winner in debut PAGE 31 Griffins 7, Barons 1: Incredible run continues in dismantling conference power PAGE 34 Griffins playing their best hockey of the season, now chase more records on the road

2 Babcock to new Wings Cole, Zidlicky: Just play naturally By Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press 5:39 p.m. EST March 4, 2015 Coach Mike Babcock told his news guys to be themselves and defer to no one. The emphasis as forward Erik Cole and defenseman Marek Zidlicky prepared to make their debuts tonight when the Detroit Red Wings host the New York Rangers at Joe Louis Arena is that they should just do what comes naturally to them. Cole was to start on a line with Henrik Zetterberg, freshly back after sitting out four games recovering from a hit to his head, and Justin Abdelkader. Zidlicky drew Brendan Smith as an even-strength partner. Zidlickly brings bite to a back end that's very clean, brings some of that peskiness that drives opponents crazy. He's also an excellent first-passer who can shoot the puck on the offensive blue line. Cole brings size, speed and a net-front presence - and at least for one game, butterflies. "It's an exciting moment for me and experience to be able to play for this organization," Cole said. "I want to make the most of it." Cole and Zidlicky are both in their mid-late 30s, which helps as far as knowing what to expect. Babcock said a key to making new guys comfortable is making sure their families are settled, but in Cole's case, that's easy - they've stayed in Raleigh, N.C., where he's spent most of his career, even as he's moved in recent years to play in Montreal and Dallas. "They're settled in there," Cole said, "so I don't have some of the aches and pains that come with when you first get traded and your whole life is kind of upside down. For me, it's just come here and focus on playing hockey and being part of the group." That, he said, is accomplished as he's "around the guys. Guys are sitting around having breakfast here at the rink, or telling stories. Just be present and make yourself a part of it, and try to get to know everyone and get comfortable with them." Cole is at a hotel for now, but figures to move into something semi-permanent soon. He got some tips on where to live, eat and shop as he left American Airlines Center in Dallas Monday, from then-teammates Shawn Horcoff, who lives in metro Detroit in the off-season (and is besties with Daniel Cleary) and former Wing Patrick Eaves. Babcock's tip was to tell the two "don't spend a whole lot of time thinking, don't defer to anybody else when you get the puck - shoot it. Over time, you'll find a way to understand exactly what we're doing and how you're going to best fit in. But in the meantime, just play." Detroit Free Press LOADED:

3 Lidstrom weighs how much?? Homer brings word from Sweden By Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press 1:15 p.m. EST March 4, 2015 Let's hope something was lost in translation. After the Detroit Red Wings finished their morning skate today, they delightedly welcomed former teammate Tomas Holmstrom into the dressing room. Holmstrom, who retired in 2013, is in town for a little vacation (it's winter break back in Sweden). Last summer, he and his wife and their children returned to live in Pitea (known to the likes of Kris Draper as the North Pole). Holmstrom said he recently went skiing with good friend and former Wings teammate Nicklas Lidstrom, who apparently is in as good of shape as ever. Or is he? Coach Mike Babcock joked that he told Holmstrom that "we haven't tipped a puck since he left." Holmstrom was a net-front pioneer, and many of the pucks he daringly tipped while positioned in front of opposing nets were shot by Lidstrom. Speaking of that legend, Babcock said Holmstrom "was telling me Nick is a lean 187 kilos. He didn't explain to me what he was, though." Well, 187 kilos is 412 pounds. So let's, for the love of Lidstrom's good health, assume that Babcock meant pounds. Detroit Free Press LOADED:

4 Zetterberg, Wings welcome NYR for first home game in awhile By Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press 2:39 p.m. EST March 4, 2015 The Detroit Red Wings' Riley Sheahan, Justin Abdelkader and Mike Babcock talk with reporters after the morning skate Wednesday, March 4, Video by Helene St. James / DFP Riley Sheahan came up blank. The Detroit Red Wings have been more like the Road Red Wings the past two months, so much so that when pressed today to remember their last game at Joe Louis Arena, Sheahan thought for several seconds before conceding. "I honestly have no idea," he said. "I'm trying to think who we played against." Tonight's game against the New York Rangers (8 p.m., NBCSN) marks the first home game since a mid-february loss to Montreal. The Wings played six home games combined in January and February. Tonight's homecoming will feature the debuts of defenseman Marek Zidlicky and forward Erik Cole, who were acquired in the 24 hours leading up to Monday's trade deadline. Captain Henrik Zetterberg has been cleared to return. He last played Feb. 21, leaving that game after getting hit in the head. Zetterberg will be with Cole and Justin Abdelkader. Pavel Datsyuk is with Tomas Tatar and Tomas Jurco, the latter of whom gets a chance to rediscover his scoring touch while Darren Helm recovers from a strained oblique. Jurco hasn't scored since Nov. 26. Sheahan is with Stephen Weiss and Gustav Nyquist (how is that for a potential third scoring line?) and Joakim Andersson centers the fourth line between Luke Glendening and Drew Miller. Zidlicky will be with Brendan Smith at even strength, with the other pairs being Niklas Kronwall with Jonathan Ericsson and Danny DeKeyser with Kyle Quincey. Cole said there'd be some butterflies as he approaches game time, but Babcock has been sure to tell both players to just be themselves. Babcock also said that they shouldn't be judged based on how they played with their old teams. "What I've found is, we've traded for lots of players over the years is, don't spend too much time evaluating where they were or what they were doing somewhere else," Babcock said. "Sometimes you acquire players, and they're way better in your situation." The Wings take a two-game winning streak up against the Rangers, whose big tradedeadline acquisition was Phoenix defenseman Keith Yandle. "Our big thing is just getting back and getting playing right," Babcock said. "Any time you've been on trips for a long period of time, sometimes your first game back, you're 4

5 not as good as you'd like to be. We're going to have to be, because they're a good team." Detroit Free Press LOADED:

6 Sharp: Zidlicky's OT goal for Wings scores 1 for prudence By Drew Sharp, 12:31 a.m. EST March 5, 2015 There was some extra jump Wednesday at the Joe. A little more juice with two good teams evenly matched, surrendering little ground and scratching for every scoring opportunity. But the term "playoff feel" for an early March game's hackneyed. It's true that the regular season assumes a higher degree of seriousness immediately after the trading deadline. The legitimate contenders that have clawed their way up the mountain through threequarters of a grueling season. They've evaluated what they needed for the bigger climb awaiting, taking the appropriate chances at the trading deadline. The Wings and New York Rangers stand at philosophical opposites on trading strategy. Wings general manager Ken Holland adamantly won't sacrifice tomorrow for the sake of today. Rangers GM Glen Sather doesn't think tomorrow exists, freely tossing around first-round draft picks like quarters into a parking meter. The final determination of which approach worked best as it pertains to this season won't come until the playoffs. But Marek Zidlicky's little chip shot past goalie Cam Talbot on a power play a minute into overtime for the 2-1 game-winner scored the first goal for prudence. "I was very happy for him to get this kind of start here," Henrik Zetterberg said. "We're very confident with what our new guys are going to bring." The Rangers got the bigger name at the trading deadline (defenseman Keith Yandle) at the much bigger price. But how often it is that the moves that generate the least buzz potentially make the greater impact. Zidlicky's game doesn't dazzle. But he brings a veteran steadiness in moving the puck out of the defensive zone and knowing when to jump into the play offensively that becomes vitally important in what promises to be a very competitive Eastern Conference playoffs. "It felt great," Zidlicky said of the goal that came with 4 seconds left on a Derek Stepan holding penalty that came with :47 remaining in regulation. "You're just trying to get a stick on something." It probably felt even better for Holland because it only cost him a third-round draft pick for the 38-year-old. These are the moves that have drawn some criticism from those increasingly impatient over the Wings' lack of advancing beyond the second round of the playoffs since But it still makes far more sense than what Sather's doing. New York wants a show. But Detroit needs a plan. Holland's sticking to it. Sather has traded four straight first-round selections (from 2013 to 2016) at the past three trading deadlines, prying Rick Nash from Columbus in 2013 and Martin St. Louis from Tampa Bay last year. Yandle cost him a first and second pick, plus a No. 1 minor league prospect. 6

7 Should the Rangers win the Eastern Conference for the second straight year, they'll think it's worth it. And it might be hard arguing against that. "We're very happy with the guys we got," said Babcock, regarding Zidlicky and winger Erik Cole, who played on a line with Zetterberg and Justin Abdelkader. It wouldn't surprise anybody if the Wings and Rangers meet again come spring with the stakes much higher than the playoff positioning of early March. These are equal foes, taking different approaches to get the most out of a playoff opportunity that should be very interesting for both. Detroit Free Press LOADED:

8 Detroit 2, N.Y. Rangers 1 (OT): Why the Red Wings won By Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press 12:10 a.m. EST March 5, 2015 At Joe Louis Arena First period: Jimmy Howard made four saves in the first 4 minutes. Justin Abdelkader scored at 6:12, deflecting a backhand pass from Henrik Zetterberg after he'd drawn Cam Talbot out of the crease. Video review showed the puck went off Abdelkader's skate and stick. Stephen Weiss was penalized for interference at 11:03. Tomas Jurco tried to stuff the puck twice. Marek Zidlicky was called for holding at 15:06. The Rangers scored at 17:02 when Dan Girardi's shot slid in after hitting Kyle Quincey's skate. Second period: Jurco threw a shot on net from the slot early. Howard made a good stop on a Rick Nash attempt, and another on Carl Hagelin as the Rangers pinned the fourth line in Detroit's zone. Third period: Gustav Nyquist centered a pass down low for a scoring chance early, but no one was in position to finish. Keith Yandle was called for hooking Tomas Tatar at 5:57. Danny DeKeyser was called for holding at 12:59, putting New York on a third power play. J.T. Miller fired a puck that rolled up Brendan Smith's body and hit him on the nose. Abdelkader was penalized for hooking and Derrick Brassard for slashing at 17:56. Derek Stepan went off for holding at 19:13. Overtime: The Wings began overtime with a 4-on-3 power play. Zidlicky scored at 1:09, sending in a shot that ricocheted off Talbot. Game reaction: Mike Babcock said: "We turned the puck over a lot. We were all right in the first part of the first. We were OK until we took a couple of penalties in a row. You don't want to play like this, but I knew tonight was going to be tough. Once you've been around a long time, you know that after these long road trips, even though you want to skate, you just look like you're in quicksand out there."... Howard said: "They threw a lot at the net, but that's the way they play. I knew I was going to be busy." Special-teams report: The Wings went 1-for-2 on power plays and 2-for-3 on penalty kills. Shot report: The Wings had 31 ( ) and the Rangers 40 ( ). Next game: Friday against the visiting Calgary Flames. Detroit Free Press LOADED:

9 Wings' Zetterberg cleared to play vs. Rangers Gregg Krupa, The Detroit News 5:12 p.m. EST March 4, 2015 Detroit Henrik Zetterberg, who appeared in 57 of the Red Wings' 61 games before Jamie Benn of the Stars punched him twice in the head on Feb. will return to the lineup Wednesday night against the Rangers. Zetterberg had been out with concussion-like symptoms. In the sixth season of a 12-year contract, Zetterberg, 34, is two points behind the team leader, Pavel Datsyuk, in points with 49 (15 goals, 34 assists). He is tied for 24th in assists in the NHL with Ryan Johansen of the Blue Jackets and Valtteri Filppula of the Lighting. Zetterberg has six points (two goals, four points) in 11 career games versus the Rangers. Through his former teammate, Erik Cole, Benn apologized to Zetterberg. Detroit News LOADED:

10 Babcock hopes new line lights fire under Jurco Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News 6:25 p.m. EST March 4, 2015 Detroit The last time Tomas Jurco scored a goal was Nov. 26 against Philadelphia, a span of 30 games. It's been a long, frustrating drought for a young player the Red Wings believed could add a spark offensively this season. To that end, coach Mike Babcock reunited Jurco with Tomas Tatar on his other wing, with Pavel Datsyuk in the middle, for Wednesday night's game against the Rangers. When Jurco has played his most effective hockey, Tatar has usually been on the other side. "He seems to play his best with Tats; when he's played with him, he seems comfortable," Babcock said Wednesday. Jurco replaces Darren Helm (oblique strain) on the line. It's an excellent opportunity for a young player who hasn't had as much ice time recently. But Babcock is looking for Jurco, first and foremost, do the grunt work Helm does on that line. "I expect him to go to work like Helmer does," Babcock said. "Forecheck, turn pucks over by being heavy (on the puck), be at the net, and create space for those guys. It's up to him. "His confidence probably isn't at an all-time high. He deems himself as a scorer, an offensive guy. He's at the working stage of his career and once he gets comfortable maybe he can get back to that. "But right now he just has to go to work." Back at home Wednesday's game was the first at home for the Red Wings since Feb. 16. They played nine of 11 games on the road in February. This month, it'll be different, with nine games at Joe Louis Arena. "The Joe's been nice to us most of the year," Babcock said of the home record. "Our big thing is just getting back and getting playing right. "Any time you've been on trips for a long period of time, when you get into that first game back, you're not as good as you'd like to be." Ice chips Alexey Marchenko (oblique strain) skated, so his return is likely later this week or early next week, as expected. 10

11 Babcock was intrigued, just as the hockey world was, about the plight of the Florida Panthers Tuesday in Toronto, having both goaltenders hurt and almost forced to use their goalie coach. Al Montoya, however, remained in the game. "We haven't had that situation at all," Babcock said. "But (we'd use) Jimmy B (Bedard, the goaltending coach) or (general manager) Kenny Holland. Just bring Kenny out of the booth and get those brown pads he wears at alumni games and bring him in." The most popular choice among the Red Wings as to who would volunteer to play goalie several Panthers did in their game was Brendan Smith. "He's pretty competitive and he seems to be good at everything," Justin Abdelkader said. "He'd volunteer himself." Babcock was a bit more hesitant about Smith. "Yeah, yeah, just work on getting out of your zone," Babcock said. Detroit News LOADED:

12 Red Wings' Tomas Jurco looks to end drought while playing on line with Pavel Datsyuk, Tomas Tatar Ansar Khan on March 04, 2015 at 7:44 PM, updated March 04, 2015 at 8:06 PM DETROIT - When Darren Helm returns from his injury in a week or so, he'll be back on a line with Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Tatar, the Detroit Red Wings' most dangerous unit the past several weeks. Until then, it's an opportunity for struggling Tomas Jurco to gain some confidence and possibly end his lengthy goal-scoring drought. Jurco, who has gone 30 games without a goal since Nov. 26, was slated to play with Datsyuk and Tatar Wednesday against the New York Rangers at Joe Louis Arena. "I think it's good for him because he's playing with Tats and he's played his best hockey when he's played with Tats," coach Mike Babcock said before the game. "Just expect him to go to work, just like Helmer does. Turn over pucks by forechecking, turn over pucks by being heavy, be at the net, create space for those guys. "His confidence isn't at an all-time high. He deems himself a scorer, offensive guy. He's at the working stage of his career. Once he gets comfortable maybe he can get back to that, but right now he's just got to go to work." Jurco's had a tough go in his first full NHL season. He showed much promise as a rookie in , with eight goals and 15 points in 36 games. But he's just 22. He he's not feeling any pressure because of the drought, but ending it sure will be a relief. "Obviously, I want to score, but if I don't score I do other stuff to help the team, so I've been trying my best to help the team win," Jurco said. Jurco hasn't played more than 12 minutes in a game since Dec. 31. He has just two goals and 13 assists in 49 games. "It's a good chance for me to play more minutes," he said. "I've got to take advantage of it and play a good game. "I'm going to try to make plays, but obviously I'm going to try to go to the net and create some space for them. (Scoring) isn't the main thing I'm going to be looking for. I'm just going to play hockey and hopefully we're going to play good." Despite Jurco's lack of offense, Babcock said he's playing well without the puck. He's posted a plus-6 rating and provided a physical presence. "I think I've improved defensively since I got here, now I'm starting to do more offense," Jurco said. "It's a process." Helm is out with an oblique strain suffered in Saturday's game. He hasn't skated since then. 12

13 Tatar believes Jurco can bring some of the elements that Helm does - physical play and speed. "He's got lots of speed, big body, lots of skill," Tatar said. "I think we need a guy like that on our line. Hopefully we give him a spark and he'll start to produce." Tatar doesn't sense Jurco is under pressure. "The team is doing well and that's all that should matter right now and I don't think anybody should feel bad about themselves in this locker room," Tatar said. When Helm returns, and if the club doesn't have any more injuries at forward, Jurco might be sent to the Grand Rapids Griffins if he's the odd-man out of the lineup. The Red Wings aren't likely to keep him around as a healthy scratch. He was made eligible for the AHL playoffs by being assigned to the Griffins on Monday and then recalled, in a paper transaction. Detroit News LOADED:

14 Wings outplayed, but Howard, Zidlicky come to rescue Gregg Krupa, The Detroit News 12:34 a.m. EST March 5, 2015 Detroit Straggling and sloppy, at times, they played like a hockey team that had not been home in 16 days. So often it is tough to get the feet moving and to sustain the effort returning from a long trip. The Red Wings showed it Wednesday, as the New York Rangers outshot them in all three periods, and for the game. But Jimmy Howard came up big. Marek Zidlicky, acquired Monday for a conditional third-round pick, demonstrated how wisdom, skill and experience adds up to consequential offense from the back end. And with a couple of nifty assists by Henrik Zetterberg, returning to the lineup after missing four games, the Wings persisted for a fairly improbable 2-1 overtime win. "I thought Howie was good," Mike Babcock said. "I thought we looked like we'd been on a long road trip and got back, and we were wearing snow shoes. Turned the puck over a lot. "We were all right in the first part of the first (period), until we took a couple of penalties in a row. And the second, they dominated us and we turned the puck over like I've never seen us turn it over. "We did better in the third and, in the end, good goaltending and good specialty teams won us the game." It was not pretty. But they won. "You don't want to play like this, but I don't mind stealing something," Babcock said. "I knew tonight was going to be tough. After these long road trips, even though you want to skate and all that, you just look like you're in quicksand out there, and that's what we looked like." Howard was particularly impressive and his team seemed particularly deep in the muck during a 90-second interval of the second period, when the Rangers controlled play for so long they accomplished nearly three line changes without ever leaving the zone. During the bombardment Howard stopped big shots from big shooters Rick Nash, former Wolverine Carl Hagelin and Mats Zuccarello. "They had probably three shifts in a row, and in that span they probably had 10 shots," said Zetterberg, who picked up his 35th and 36th assists. "It was the battle against inertia for us tonight. I think we turned the puck over a little too much. But for the guys who've been here for a little while, it's a typical first game after the West Coast." 14

15 When his interviews were over, without being asked, Zetterberg volunteered, "Howie was good, too." Howard, who has grappled with inconsistency since returning from a groin injury that kept him out five weeks, called it his strongest performance since his return. "They threw a lot at the net, but that's the way they play," Howard said of the Rangers, who had won four of their last five coming in. "I knew that coming into tonight that I was going to be busy. "Whenever they get an opportunity, they throw it to the net and crash. So, I just tried to make sure I did the best I could tonight to put rebounds in good spots, or eat them up." In the third, when Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh put one high off the glass behind Howard, it nearly bounced back into play right in front of the goaltender. But, resembling the acrobatic former Wings goalie of the 1960s, Roger Crozier, Howard read the play, pirouetted in his crease, and while on one skate knocked the puck to safety. "Just from knowing the boards and practicing in here a lot, you see shots that hit over your head and come right back over into the crease area," he said. "You know, I just kept my eye on it and just tried to swipe it as hard as I could, away." The Wings entered the overtime on the power play. They finally outshot the Rangers in a frame, 3-0. Controlling the puck for much of the first minute, Zidlicky decided that it was time for the guile of a 38-year-old, offensively-minded defenseman. He pinched aggressively and stayed down low for long seconds, while the triangle of Rangers defenders deployed to kill the power play grappled with his positioning. They failed. With Pavel Datsyuk and Zetterberg assisting, the puck was suddenly near Zidlicky, who was right on top of goalie Cam Talbot in the crease. Amid a swarm of bodies and action, Zidlicky managed to knock it in. A man of easy smiles, but few and quiet words, Zidlicky was nonchalant about this first goal for the Red Wings, in his first game. "I think Z had a good scoring chance from his side, and I was very close," he said. "And I was able to score. It couldn't be a better feeling. "I saw the puck there, and I just tried to hit the puck." It was a bit of redemption, perhaps. Zidlicky was penalized in the first period, as the Wings had one of their many bouts of chasing the Rangers around the defensive zone, before he finally held one of them, behind the net. Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi tallied on the power play, with assists by Nash and Derick Brassard, to tie the score at 17:02. Justin Abdelkader scored the first goal for the Wings, at 6:12 of the first period. It was his 14th of the season, a career high. 15

16 With Abdelkader skating hard to the net, Zetterberg fed him perfectly with a backhanded pass. The puck hit Abdelkader's skate before his stick, and then went in. A replay review confirmed the goal. Zidlicky played 17:44 on 22 shifts, including 2:28 on the power play. He scored the winner, took two shots, delivered one hit and gave the puck away once. The other arrival at the trade deadline, Erik Cole, played 14:24 on 20 shifts, had one shot on net in four attempts and two hits. Asked how the new fellows did, Babcock said he was largely pleased. "To be honest, it's: I hope they don't think we play like this," he said. "Because, we don't. I've never seen anything quite like it. "You know," he went on, laughing at his own playfulness, "you almost expect it, but you're hoping you're going to get through it, and play better. "It's nice, once in a while, to win games when you don't play very well. I thought our goalie gave us that chance." Detroit News LOADED:

17 Cole, Zidlicky face the many details of Wings' style Gregg Krupa, The Detroit News 4:51 a.m. EST March 5, 2015 Detroit Erik Cole and Marek Zidlicky are in Detroit, and they arrive as accomplished veterans with clear skills. But do they fit in? Does it jell completely? How long does it take? For new players, there can be an adjustment, even beyond merely changing teams. The Red Wings can be even more different than other clubs. It is part of the reason for their success. The details are in the architecture of their attack, defense and transition. And the fact they are rigidly enforced, often with a mere moment's notice. The constant requirement to get it done fast. The brisk pace of their practices, practice after practice. It is not like that with every franchise. For some, the transition is smooth. For others, it is a fast start, a bit of a fade and hoping for a second wind. Sometimes a move that looked good conceptually, fails. Regardless, with the Red Wings, a lot of the early newness is in the details. Attesting to that are two previous arrivals, David Legwand, now with the Senators, and Stephen Weiss, who remains with the Red Wings. Legwand faced challenges to execute on defense and maintaining the pace in games, and he talked about it while he was here, sometimes after meetings with coach Mike Babcock. Weiss liked joining the Red Wings and says he still believes he has more to offer. But the transition from the Panthers, where he was the leader in career assists, challenged him. "It was quite an adjustment for me," Weiss said. "It's a lot different type style than we played, obviously. The attention to details was way more evident. And you're held accountable to that on every play, every shift, every game, every practice. "And that's what you want as a player, really. You want those types of standards." For Cole, the first talk about that with Babcock came quickly. 17

18 "The guy gave me a call, probably an hour or so after the trade happened, just right away, to let me know what to expect," the big, quick veteran said. "I think it's a good thing, in that sense, that you always know where you stand. "There are a lot of smaller details to the system that weren't always harped on in Dallas. So, it's just little things that I need to do on the ice. Although, at the same time, (he said) to make sure I'm not thinking too much, and get as comfortable as I can, as quick as I can, and play hard." Asked about the transition for a new player, Babcock was typically direct. "I sat down with the two of them today," he said Tuesday. "And I said, exactly this: Picture who you are in your mind's eye, and the kind of player you are. "And then just do that. Period. That's why we acquired you. "And then I said, here's our structure. You've got to find a way to do the two of them, together. "I don't want you thinking. I want you playing. "We didn't get them here to change them. We got them here so they can do what they do, and we'll figure out a way to make it work for you. "So, that's going to be a work in progress." Most important early, Babcock said, is attending to the well-being of a new player. Life in the NHL can be tough on marriages and kids. Trades implicate the issue of lengthy separations to a greater extent than even free agency, in which the player and family can sometimes even choose where they would like to live and make the move before the season starts. "The number one thing for me was finding out about their family situation, and how we can make them as comfortable as we possibly can," Babcock said. "So, we want that going good. And then get them in with the guys, and then get a game under the belt. "Get them out there. Get them competing. "And then, we'll go from there." Detroit News LOADED:

19 Red Wings' lineup vs. Rangers: Henrik Zetterberg returns to lineup as Erik Cole, Marek Zidlicky debut Ansar Khan on March 04, 2015 at 12:23 PM, updated March 04, 2015 at 2:27 PM DETROIT -- Detroit Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg will be back in the lineup tonight when the team returns home after six games on the road, hosting the New York Rangers (8 p.m., NBC Sports Network only). Zetterberg missed four games with a head injury after being punched and elbowed by the Dallas Stars' Jamie Benn on Feb. 21. He will center a line with Justin Abdelkader and newly acquired Erik Cole. Cole and defenseman Marek Zidlicky, the other trade deadline acquisition, will make the Red Wings debut. "We acquired you to be yourself, so be yourself, do what you do and don't spend a whole lot of time thinking out there," coach Mike Babcock said. "Don't defer to anybody else. When you get the puck shoot it and over time you'll find a way to understand exactly what we're doing and how you're best going to fit in, but in the meantime just play." Cole, 36, has been traded twice before at the deadline, but he said he still gets butterflies in his stomach before his first game with a new team. "It's an exciting moment for me to play for this organization," he said. "It's just a great opportunity." He'll skate with Zetterberg, who was cleared this afternoon. "It takes a little bit of time to development some familiarity with your linemates and guys on the power play," Cole said. "You get a general sense of what we're trying to do with the system here. It's just picking up on guys' movements, if he's disguising a pass or he's going to shoot, his tendencies on the ice, where he is - things like that. It's all just communication, talking to your teammates on the ice. As it goes on it gets better and better." The Red Wings ( ) lost 2-0 to the Montreal Canadiens on Feb. 16 in their most recent game at the Joe and are winless in two at home (0-1-1) since beating the New York Islanders 4-1 on Jan. 31. They played nine of their 11 games last month on the road. "The Joe's been nice to us most of the year (17-5-7)," Babcock said. "Our big thing is just getting back and getting playing. Anytime you've been on trips for a long period of time, sometimes in your first game back you're not as good as you'd like to be. We're going to have to be because they're a good team." 19

20 The Rangers ( ) are in their past 14 games, playing all but two of those games without world-class goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who's out with a neck injury. Cam Talbot will start for the Rangers. High-scoring defenseman Keith Yandle, who has 41 point and a minus-33 rating, will play his second game for New York after being acquired from Arizona. Here are the lines the Red Wings skated with this morning: Tomas Jurco-Pavel Datsyuk-Tomas Tatar Justin Abdelkader-Henrik Zetterberg-Erik Cole Stephen Weiss-Riley Sheahan-Gustav Nyquist Drew Miller-Joakim Andersson-Luke Glendening Daniel Cleary (scratched) On defense: Niklas Kronwall-Jonathan Ericsson Danny DeKeyser-Kyle Quincey Brendan Smith-Marek Zidlicky Jakub Kindl (scratched) Power play: Nyquist-Datsyuk-Tatar, Sheahan (net front), Zidlicky Weiss-Zetterberg-Cole Abdelkader (net front), Kronwall In goal: Jimmy Howard (starting) Jonas Gustavsson Defenseman Alexei Marchenko also practiced. Darren Helm did not skate. Both are expected to be out a week or so due to strained oblique muscles. Michigan Live LOADED:

21 Who: Detroit Red Wings ( ) vs. New York Rangers ( ) Staff When: 8 p.m. Where: Joe Louis Arena TV: NBC Sports Network Radio: WXYT-FM (97.1), WXYT-AM (1270) and Red Wings radio network Live coverage: Join the MLive open thread/live updates at 7 p.m. ET. GAME NOTES The lineups for both the Red Wings and Rangers will feature some new faces since they last met Dec. 6 in Detroit, when Darren Helm's goal 7:40 into the third was the difference in a 3-2 victory that gave Mike Babcock his 500th NHL victory. Forward Erik Cole and defenseman Marek Zidlicky will both make their Red Wings' debut tonight after being acquired in trade deadline deals with Dallas and New Jersey, respectively. New York's big move for the deadline was to trade for Arizona defenseman Keith Yandle, who made his Rangers debut Monday in Nashville. The Red Wings are in their last eight home games but both of those losses came in their last two games. They dropped a 5-4 shootout to Winnipeg on Valentine's Day before falling 2-0 to Montreal two days later. Before being traded to the Red Wings Sunday, Erik Cole had at least one point in eight of his previous 10 games. He had five goals and four assists in that stretch. Zidlicky had no points in his final six games with New Jersey before being traded Monday. He had one assist in his the 10 games prior to being dealt. Tonight is the second of five straight games on the road for the Rangers, who have been idle since beating Nashville 4-1 Monday. That came on the heels of the Red Wings 3-2 victory in Nashville two days earlier. Nashville hadn't lost two straight in regulation until falling to the Red Wings, who are the only team in the NHL without backto-back regulation losses this season. Rangers goaltender CamTalbot has a record since No. 1 netminder Henrik Lundqvist was sidelined with a vascular injury. Talbort has a 1-1 career record vs. the Red Wings. Detroit beat him 3-2 Dec. 6 Joe Louis Arena. Talbot recorded his first NHL victory by beating the Red Wings 3-2 in a shootout Oct. 26, The Red Wings are in their last eight home games vs. the Rangers.... Tomas Tatar leads the Red Wings with 25 goals, putting him tied for 12th in the NHL.... The Rangers are when Mats Zuccarello records at least one point. He has 12 goals among 37 points in 60 games this season. Michigan Live LOADED:

22 Detroit Red Wings Gameday: Both teams sport new look as Rangers visit to Joe Louis Arena Brendan Savage on March 04, 2015 at 3:03 PM GAME INFORMATION Who: Detroit Red Wings ( ) vs. New York Rangers ( ) When: 8 p.m. Where: Joe Louis Arena TV: NBC Sports Network Radio: WXYT-FM (97.1), WXYT-AM (1270) and Red Wings radio network Facebook: Like our Detroit Red Wings Facebook page Twitter: Follow Ansar Khan and Brendan Savage Live coverage: Join the MLive open thread/live updates at 7 p.m. ET. GAME NOTES The lineups for both the Red Wings and Rangers will feature some new faces since they last met Dec. 6 in Detroit, when Darren Helm's goal 7:40 into the third was the difference in a 3-2 victory that gave Mike Babcock his 500th NHL victory. Forward Erik Cole and defenseman Marek Zidlicky will both make their Red Wings' debut tonight after being acquired in trade deadline deals with Dallas and New Jersey, respectively. New York's big move for the deadline was to trade for Arizona defenseman Keith Yandle, who made his Rangers debut Monday in Nashville. The Red Wings are in their last eight home games but both of those losses came in their last two games. They dropped a 5-4 shootout to Winnipeg on Valentine's Day before falling 2-0 to Montreal two days later. Before being traded to the Red Wings Sunday, Erik Cole had at least one point in eight of his previous 10 games. He had five goals and four assists in that stretch. Zidlicky had no points in his final six games with New Jersey before being traded Monday. He had one assist in his the 10 games prior to being dealt. Tonight is the second of five straight games on the road for the Rangers, who have been idle since beating Nashville 4-1 Monday. That came on the heels of the Red Wings 3-2 victory in Nashville two days earlier. Nashville hadn't lost two straight in regulation until falling to the Red Wings, who are the only team in the NHL without backto-back regulation losses this season. Rangers goaltender CamTalbot has a record since No. 1 netminder Henrik Lundqvist was sidelined with a vascular injury. Talbort has a 1-1 career record vs. the 22

23 Red Wings. Detroit beat him 3-2 Dec. 6 Joe Louis Arena. Talbot recorded his first NHL victory by beating the Red Wings 3-2 in a shootout Oct. 26, The Red Wings are in their last eight home games vs. the Rangers.... Tomas Tatar leads the Red Wings with 25 goals, putting him tied for 12th in the NHL.... The Rangers are when Mats Zuccarello records at least one point. He has 12 goals among 37 points in 60 games this season. Michigan Live LOADED:

24 Oddsmakers don't see two trades improving Detroit Red Wings' odds of winning Stanley Cup Brendan Savage on March 04, 2015 at 6:06 AM, updated March 04, 2015 at 6:07 AM You've heard what the NHL insiders think of the Detroit Red Wings' moves leading up to the trading deadline. The Red Wings themselves chimed in about their new teammates. And MLive readers haven't been shy about sharing their thoughts - have they ever been? - on the acquisitions of forward Erik Cole and defenseman Marek Zidlicky. Now let's check in with the real experts to see how much the two newcomers will help the Red Wings in their quest for the Stanley Cup. It's time to check in with the folks in Las Vegas. A month ago, the Red Wings' odds of winning the Stanley Cup were 14-1, according to Bovada.lv. After picking up Cole and Zidlicky, Bovada says they're exactly the same after improving in each of the previous four months. The Chicago Blackhawks remain the favorite to win the Cup at They're followed by Anaheim and Nashville at 9-1, Montreal and St. Louis at 10-1, and the foursome of defending champion Los Angeles, Pittsburgh and both New York teams at The Red Wings, Boston, Minnesota and Tampa Bay are all As far as winning the Eastern Conference, the Red Wings are 6-1 along with Boston. Montreal is the favorite at 5-1 with the Islanders, Rangers, Penguins and Lightning all Montreal is an overwhelming favorite to win the Atlantic Division at 1-2 followed by the Red Wings and Lightning at None of the Red Wings are among the favorites to win the major individual awards. Michigan Live LOADED:

25 Marek Zidlicky gives Red Wings defense different dimension and scores winning goal in debut Ansar Khan on March 05, 2015 at 1:05 AM, updated March 05, 2015 at 1:06 AM DETROIT - Everyone wants to make a good impression in their first game with a new team, but Marek Zidlicky wondered if he'd be the goat after his penalty in the first period led to a goal for the New York Rangers. Instead, Zidlicky emerged as the hero, scoring at 1:09 of overtime to lift the Detroit Red Wings to a 2-1 victory at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings got away with a lackluster performance, which seems to be the norm for clubs in their first game home after a West Coast trip. Jimmy Howard enabled his team to swipe a pair of points, making 39 saves - all in regulation. Derek Stepan's holding penalty against Gustav Nyquist in the final minute of regulation proved costly. The power play extended into overtime, a four-on-three advantage. Zidlicky swooped in and banged in the rebound of a shot by Pavel Datsyuk during a scramble in front of goaltender Cam Talbot. "You know, it was first game, it couldn't be better feel, and to score, especially in overtime," Zidlicky said. "So that was my best time. "I just saw the puck there and I tried to hit the puck and it hit probably (Talbot's) back and in.... I think Z (Henrik Zetterberg) had a good scoring chance from his side and it was pretty close, and finally we score. Couldn't be a better feeling." The Red Wings ( ) are in their past seven. The Rangers ( ) are in their past 17. "It was nice to see him get that last one," said Zetterberg, back after missing four games with a head injury. "We had some good looks on the four-on-three, but it was an ugly one that went in, but it felt good." Said Howard: "Being 200 feet away I'm not sure how it went in but we'll take it." Zidlicky, the skilled right-handed shooting defenseman acquired from the New Jersey Devils on Monday, made his Red Wings debut, as did forward Erik Cole, who was acquired from the Dallas Stars on Sunday. After Justin Abdelkader opened the scoring at 6:12 of the first period, tapping in a nice pass from Zetterberg, Dan Girardi tied it on the power play at 17:02, while Zidlicky was off for holding. "You know first period I didn't feel well, especially when they scored the goal when I took the penalty," Zidlicky said. "But second and third period I felt much better, so, it was a good game." 25

26 Zidlicky was paired with Brendan Smith at even strength and will man the point on a power-play unit with Datsyuk. Zidlicky's right shot gives the team a different dimension, not only on an already strong power play (ranked first in the NHL), but also at even strength, allowing for more efficient breakouts. "Very steady, solid, made a lot of great first passes," Howard said. "Smart with the puck, so it's a great addition here on the back end." Michigan Live LOADED:

27 Red Wings 2, Rangers 1 (OT): Marek Zidlicky nets winner in debut as Jimmy Howard strong in goal Ansar Khan on March 04, 2015 at 10:38 PM, updated March 05, 2015 at 1:32 AM DETROIT - Jimmy Howard was much sharper than his teammates on Wednesday, keeping them in the game and giving them a chance for some late heroics by a newcomer. Howard made 39 saves and Marek Zidlicky scored a power-play goal at 1:09 of overtime to lift the Detroit Red Wings past the New York Rangers 2-1 at Joe Louis Arena. Zidlicky, a the right-handed shooting, puck-moving defenseman acquired from the New Jersey Devils on Monday, swatted the puck in during a scramble in front of goaltender Cam Talbot with four seconds remaining on a holding penalty to Derek Stepan that carried over from regulation. The Red Wings improved to , despite being shot It was their first home game in 16 days, after six consecutive road games. Henrik Zetterberg returned after missing four games with a head injury and set up both goals, including Justin Abdelkader's tally in the first period. Right wing Erik Cole, acquired in a trade with Dallas on Sunday, also made his Red Wings debut. The Red Wings are in their past seven games. The Rangers are in their past 17. The Red Wings were fortunate to come out of the second period unscathed, after the Rangers tilted the rink, outshooting them The Red Wings were sloppy in their own zone, committing too many turnovers, leading to extended zone time and several scoring chances for the Rangers. Howard has had to be sharp to keep it even. An evenly played first period ended tied 1-1. Abdelkader opened the scoring at 6:12 with his 14th goal. It was an easy tap-in into an empty net on a pass from Zetterberg. Jonathan Ericsson started the play by fanning on a blast from the blue line. The puck went to an open Zetterberg in front of the net, but he didn't have a good shooting angle. The Rangers tied in on the power play at 17:02, when Dan Giradri poked in a loose puck in the crease. Zidlicky was in the penalty box for holding. Michigan Live LOADED:

28 Zidlicky's OT goal gives Detroit Red Wings win over Rangers By The Associated Press Posted: 03/04/15, 11:29 PM EST DETROIT (AP) >> Marek Zidlicky s power-play goal 1:09 into overtime lifted the Detroit Red Wings to a 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers on Wednesday night. Zidlicky, making his Red Wings debut after being acquired at the NHL trade deadline from New Jersey, punched the puck past goalie Cam Talbot in a scrum to give the Red Wings their second straight win. Justin Abdelkader also scored, and Henrik Zetterberg added two assists, and Jimmy Howard made 39 saves for Detroit. Talbot made 29 saves for the Rangers, whose lone goal was scored by defenseman Dan Girardi. The Red Wings played the final 46 seconds of regulation on a power play after Derek Stepan held Gustav Nyquist. The advantage carried into overtime, and Zidlicky cashed in on Detroit s third shot. Detroit took a 1-0 lead 6:12 in when Abdelkader punched in a rebound of Zetterberg s shot. The play began when Jonathan Ericsson intercepted a clearing attempt in the New York zone. Girardi tied it with 2:58 left in the first during a power play when he redirected a puck that bounced off Red Wings defenseman Kyle Quincey s skate. The Rangers sent 16 shots at Howard in the second period, but the game remained tied. Their best scoring chance came 6 minutes in when defenseman Marc Staal found himself alone in front of Howard, but his wrist shot struck a goal post and bounced away. Nyquist later missed on a breakaway and then sent a centering pass near the net early in the third period, but Stephen Weiss couldn t finish. New York nearly got scored a lucky goal late in regulation when a shot bounced back over Howard s shoulder. The goalie knocked it out of harm s way with his blocker. The Red Wings played their first home game since Feb. 16 after wrapping up a sixgame trip with a win Saturday at Nashville giving them nine points while away. The Rangers topped Nashville 4-1 at home on Monday. Forward Erik Cole also made his Red Wings debut. Detroit sent two prospects and a draft pick to Dallas for Cole and got Zidlicky from New Jersey for a conditional draft pick. NOTES: Zetterberg returned after missing four games due to a head injury. Quincey returned after missing five because of a sore ankle.... Rangers G Henrik Lundqvist missed his 15 game with a neck injury.... The Red Wings were without forwards Johan Franzen (concussion) and Darren Helm (oblique). 28

29 Duff: Zidlicky nets winner in debut By Bob Duff / Windsor Star A loose puck in the goal crease, a scramble and Marek Zidlicky found it. Then he put it in the net, immediately finding a way to make his Detroit Red Wings debut a memorable one. Zidlicky s goal 1:09 into overtime gave the Wings a 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena. Beyond the game-winning goal, Detroit coach Mike Babcock was pleased by what Zidlicky can bring to his squad. What I like that he has is he s got bite, he competes, he s an excellent first-pass guy, sees what s going on, he can shoot the puck on the offensive blue-line, and he s a righthanded shot, Babcock said. Wednesday marked the Detroit bow of both Red Wings trade-deadline acquisitions, as winger Erik Cole skated alongside Henrik Zetterberg and Justin Abdelkader and displayed some of the attributes that made him attractive to the Wings. Early in the third period, Cole gathered the puck just outside the Rangers blue-line and immediately went on the attack. Looping around a defender, he feathered a pass through to Abdelkader, who barely missed redirecting the puck at New York goalie Cam Talbot. Abdelkader scooped up the puck behind the net and relayed a pass to the slot. Displaying some pace, Cole burst up the middle and was just nosed out in a race for the puck by Rangers forward Derek Stepan. Plus he shoots it in the net, Babcock said of what he likes about the six-foot-two, 205- pound Cole. I like guys who shoot it in the net and I like guys who are big. Until Zidlicky s goal, the only place either of them registered in the game summary was in the penalty box. It was while Zidlicky was off for holding in the first period that Dan Girardi scored to tie the game 1-1. Now making assessments after one game would be foolhardy on all accounts, but in today s instant gratification society, that s exactly what some folks will be doing today on social media. 29