Detroit Red Wings Clips January 8, 2015 Detroit Red Wings PAGE 2 Detroit 3, Calgary 2: Why the Red Wings won PAGE 3 Red Wings forwards ailing; door opening for Pulkkinen? PAGE 4 Detroit 3, Calgary 2: Zetterberg's big night in 800th game PAGE 6 Red Wings' Petr Mrazek enjoys spot-start duty in the NHL PAGE 7 Wings beat Flames, win 2 of 3 on western swing PAGE 9 Ailments keeps Wings' Jurco, Franzen out of lineup PAGE 11 Red Wings 3, Flames 2: Line of Henrik Zetterberg, Justin Abdelkader, Gustav Nyquist leads the way PAGE 13 Second-period analysis: Red Wings 2, Flames 1 PAGE 14 First-period analysis: Red Wings 1, Flames 1 PAGE 15 Injuries to Johan Franzen, Tomas Jurco might prompt Red Wings to take a look at sniper Teemu Pulkkinen PAGE 16 Red Wings' Justin Abdelkader on pace for most productive season, especially on the road PAGE 18 Detroit Red Wings Gameday: Pavel Datsyuk has a long history of burning Calgary Flames PAGE 20 Red Wings' Tomas Jurco will have ailing lower back evaluated; Gustav Nyquist fined $2,000 for diving PAGE 21 Petr Mrazek starts in goal as Red Wings reach midway point of season in game at Calgary PAGE 22 Detroit Red Wings Q&A: Tomas Tatar dishes on adjusting to U.S., Riley Sheahan's hoop skills PAGE 24 Abdelkader, Zetterberg lift Red Wings over Flames PAGE 26 Notes: Jurco misses Calgary game; Nyquist fined PAGE 28 Wings' Mrazek gets nod against Flames PAGE 30 Duff: Abdelkader off to best start of career PAGE 31 Griffins 3, Checkers 2 (OT): Teemu Pulkkinen scores in eighth straight; Landon Ferraro nets winner PAGE 33 Griffins climb back into tie for second; have they turned the corner after a poor start?
Detroit 3, Calgary 2: Why the Red Wings won By Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press 2:08 a.m. EST January 8, 2015 At the Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta In the first period: The Flames scored at 2:27. Petr Mrazek made the first stop, but when Mason Raymond picked up the rebound, Mrazek was so far out of position Raymond easily whipped behind the net and stuffed the puck for a 1-0 lead. A penalty to Justin Abdelkader sent the Wings onto a penalty kill. By 6-plus minutes, the Wings were being outshot, 8-1. At 7:58, it didn't matter so much, as Riley Sheahan powered his way from the right boards to the net, dangling the puck and sending it behind Karri Ramo. The Wings had to go on another penalty kill after Stephen Weiss was called for holding at 18:10. Shots were 11-7 to Calgary. In the second period: Mrazek had no problem denying Sean Monahan on a breakaway, coming out of the net to challenge the shot past the 5-minute mark. Ramo was hurt at 10:11, when one of his own defensemen's knees connected with Ramo's head, and Jonas Hiller took over in net. Mrazek had his hands full as the Flames ran off another barrage of shots. Detroit was faced with a third penalty kill after Abdelkader was called for holding at 14:45. Abdelkader made up for his heavy-penalty night with a sweet pass to Henrik Zetterberg, who redirected the puck from the left side for his 10th goal at 17:28. Shots were 19-15 to Calgary. In the third period: The Wings at last got to use their power play units, at 1:17 of the third period. Abdelkader banged home his own rebound on a net-front goal at 2:03, with assists to Gustav Nyquist and Zetterberg. The Wings got a second power play at 4:21, but this time it was Calgary that scored, with Mikael Backlund taking advantage of Mrazek being off balance. Next came another penalty kill, which got a little dicey when a puck zinged off one goal post and rolled along just outside the goal line. Nyquist tested Hiller with a backhand attempt with 3 minutes to go. Hiller skated to the bench with 1:45 left, the puck went into Detroit's net 25 seconds later, but the goal was called off because of interference to Mrazek. Final shots were 30-22 to Calgary. Up next: Saturday at the Washington Capitals. Detroit Free Press LOADED: 01.08.2015 2
Red Wings forwards ailing; door opening for Pulkkinen? Detroit Free Press 1:25 a.m. EST January 8, 2015 CALGARY, Alberta -- The Detroit Red Wings left for home with a couple of dinged-up forwards that could yield an opportunity to see a hot-handed Finnish prospect. Tomas Jurco and Johan Franzen both missed Wednesday's 3-2 victory against the Flames at the Saddledome, and are to be further evaluated in Detroit. Jurco left Tuesday's game at Edmonton with lower back spasms, and didn't look in good spirits as he was at the Saddledome for treatment Wednesday. He dreaded the flight home. "It's going to hurt," he said. The pain is constant, "especially bending over and that stuff." He's played through pain before, but "never this bad," he said. Franzen is dealing with upper-body pain after a collision during Tuesday's game. "I guess he didn't feel good," coach Mike Babcock said. "I don't know if he's going on IR." If he does, it'd be an opportunity for the Wings to bring up Teemu Pulkkinen, who just scored his 20th goal of the season, in 33 games, for the Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit's AHL affiliate. Pulkkinen, 23, is a fourth-round pick from 2010. He's not big, but he's got an NHL-caliber shot, and best of all for a team desperate to add such an element, he shoots right. Detroit Free Press LOADED: 01.08.2015 3
Detroit 3, Calgary 2: Zetterberg's big night in 800th game By Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press 2:15 a.m. EST January 8, 2015 CALGARY, Alberta -- Henrik Zetterberg celebrated his 800th career game the way he has so many others: With a goal and a victory. His 10th goal of the season helped lift the Detroit Red Wings past the Calgary Flames, 3-2, tonight at the Saddledome to leave Detroit 2-1 on their swing through western Canada. Teammate Drew Miller made sure Zetterberg knew he had a milestone game. "He just said it's your 800th game today, congratulations," Zetterberg said. "I knew it was close. It was nice to get a win." That enabled the Wings to head home having collected four of six points during their swing through western Canada. Their special teams were good, and they withstood a late surge by the Flames. "It was a good road win," coach Mike Babcock said. "Back-to-back nights, you've got to get going. It took us about six or seven minutes, and then we played pretty well. I hate giving up that shorthanded goal, no need to do that, but all in all a good night." Zetterberg and Justin Abdelkader each had a goal and an assist, and Riley Sheahan scored one of the prettiest goals of his budding NHL career. The last 2 minutes took place in NBA-like slowness. Jonas Hiller went to the bench with 1:45 to go, and the puck went into Detroit's net 25 seconds later. The goal was immediately waived off, however, because Curtis Glencross was assailing Petr Mrazek in the crease, knocking his mask off. An offsides call later, and the Wings at last held on for the win. The Wings were without Tomas Jurco, dealing with lower back spasms, and Johan Franzen, sore after a collision during Tuesday's game at Edmonton. That opened room for Joakim Andersson and Daniel Cleary to add fresh legs to the lineup. As has become a trend, the Wings gave up the first goal, this time just 2:27 into the game, when Mrazek's stop on one shot got him so out of position Mason Raymond found the net open for a wrap-around. The Wings were at one point outshot, 8-1, but they made one of the next ones they got count. Sheahan entered Calgary's zone, briefly flipped the puck and and forth with Darren Helm, and then dangled the puck all the way to the net before firing it behind Karri Ramo. "That was vintage Yzerman," Zetterberg said, referencing former Wings captain Steve Yzerman. "Stevie used to do that move a lot, and I think he's been watching him." Ramo was replaced midway through the game after taking a knee to the head. Zetterberg dinged Hiller late in the second period, left uncovered to the left of the net to bang home a go-ahead goal. Seeing Zetterberg deliver is nothing new, to teammates old or young. 4
"Z is a great guy and great leader," Mrazek said. "You have to take lots of stuff from him, on the ice and off the ice." Abdelkader came through with his second goal in two nights when the Wings finally got a power play in the third period, after killing off three straight Calgary power plays, scoring on a net-front play to give Detroit a two-goal lead. That was cut to one during Detroit's second power play, when Mikael Backlund went around Danny DeKeyser and forced Mrazek off balance to score shorthanded. The Wings' penalty killers improved to 4-for-4 before the third period was 9 minutes old, holding off a Flames team trying to take advantage of playing a team that had been active 24 hours earlier. Zetterberg, and the Wings, would not be denied their celebration. Detroit Free Press LOADED: 01.08.2015 5
Red Wings' Petr Mrazek enjoys spot-start duty in the NHL By Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press 1:49 a.m. EST January 8, 2015 CALGARY, Alberta -- Petr Mrazek sees it this way: Better a game every two weeks in the NHL than nightly in the AHL. Every appearance he does make in the NHL, after all, is helping him prep for the future he wants as a go-to in the league. He survived a couple of shaky situations Wednesday at the Saddledome to earn a 3-2 victory against the Flames on the strength of 28 saves. "Mrazek was a little nervous early," coach Mike Babcock said. "After that, I thought he settled in and played real well. He's a good player." Mason Raymond beat Mrazek 2:27 into the game on a wraparound after Mrazek had veered too far from his property. "It's just a goal," Mrazek said. "It's over and you have to battle. That was nice shot, and the rebound, he just wrapped it around the net. You just have to shake it off and get ready for the next one." That came at 5:13 of the third period, as the Wings were on a power play, when Mikael Backlund forced Mrazek off balance. The Flames put the puck in Detroit's net again with 1:20 to go in regulation, but the goal immediately was called off because Curtis Glencross was manhandling Mrazek even as Jonathan Ericsson rode Glencross into the net. "The guy was in the crease," Mrazek said. "He got pushed by our guy and my mask just fell off. I think that was a good no call." The game was Mrazek's first since Dec. 23, and eighth since being called up from Grand Rapids in early November. Mrazek was the Griffins' go-to goaltender, but lack of quantity is offset by quality. "Games here so much better than in the AHL," he said, "so that if I play three or four games a month here, or seven or 10 in Grand Rapids, I think it's better I play here. I just have to be focused and go hard." Mrazek improved to 5-2-1 this season. He'll remain with the Wings while Jonas Gustavsson recovers from a dislocated left shoulder (he's done light on-ice work since last week). Every day he's here, Mrazek said "is helping you growing up and be NHL goalie. Every game I have here, it's helping me for the future." Nyquist fined: Forward Gustav Nyquist was fined $2,000 by the NHL for a diving incident Dec. 29 at Boston, the league announced today. Nyquist was previously warned after a diving incident Nov. 28 at New Jersey. Detroit Free Press LOADED: 01.08.2015 6
Wings beat Flames, win 2 of 3 on western swing Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News 2:46 a.m. EST January 8, 2015 Calgary, Alberta All those predictions of doom and gloom with all the road games looming on the Red Wings schedule aren't coming true. They finished the western Canada portion of this six-game road trip Wednesday with their second consecutive victory, defeating Calgary 3-2. Riley Sheahan, Henrik Zetterberg and Justin Abdelkader (power play) scored as the Red Wings went 2-1-0 on the three-game trip with Washington coming up Saturday, before the trip winds up in Buffalo and St. Louis next week. "We think we're getting better and to me that's what it's all about," coach Mike Babcock said. "It was a good trip. We were down 2-1 in Vancouver (the first game of the trip) withi two minutes left and gave up the two empty-net goals. We played well in Vancouver, controlled the game. "(Wednesday's game) was a good road win. It's a grind on back-to-back nights and it took about six minutes to get playing." Petr Mrarzek allowed an early goal to Mason Raymond but settled down and stopped 28 shots, earning the victory. Johan Franzen (upper body) and Tomas Jurco (lower back) were unavailable for the Red Wings, who inserted Daniel Cleary and Joakim Andersson into the lineup. Franzen was hit near the head area Tuesday in Edmonton, fell bad on the flight over to Calgary, and was held out. Franzen has a history of concussion issues. Babcock wasn't sure if Franzen would be put on injured reserve. The Red Wings reached the halfway portion of their schedule Wednesday with a 22-10- 9 record, an eight-point improvement over last year (53-45). "We feel we have a better team," Babcock said. Zetterberg broke a 1-1 tie at 17:28 of the second period, in his 800th career game. "I knew I was getting close," Zetterberg said of the milestone. "It's nice to get a win. Obviously it's always nice to get goals nowadays. In this game, it's a little more special." Gustav Nyquist (two assists) found Zetterberg in front of goalie Jonas Hiller, and Zetterberg banged in his 10th goal. Abdelkader made it 3-1 with a power-play goal, his career-high 11th goal, and his fifth point in the last two games (he added an assist). Abdelkader was alone in front and converted a pass from Nyquist at 2:03 of the third period. Calgary cut the Red Wings lead to 3-2 on a Mikael Backlund shorthanded goal at 5:13. 7
Backlund and Paul Byron converted a 2-on-1 rush, Backlund sliding the puck past a sprawling Mrazek for his second goal. An apparent Flames tying goal with 1:20 left was waved off when Mrazek's mask flew off, the referee calling the play dead. "The (Calgary) guy was in the crease, he was pushed by our guy, and my mask fell off," Mrazek said. "It was a good no goal." Sheahan opened the Red Wings' scoring with his eighth goal at 7:58 of the first period. Sheahan skated around Flames defenseman Deryk Engelland, and roofed a shot over goalie Karri Ramo. "That was vintage Yzerman," Zetterberg said. "Stevie did that move a lot. He's (Sheahan) been watching him." Ramo left the game at 10:11 of the second period after taking a knee to his head from teammate Raphael Diaz while chasing the puck. Jonas Hiller replaced Ramo. Detroit News LOADED: 01.08.2015 8
Ailments keeps Wings' Jurco, Franzen out of lineup Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News 2:16 a.m. EST January 8, 2015 Calgary, Alberta Is the injury bug beginning to hit the Red Wings again? It's nothing like last season, but the Red Wings were without Johan Franzen (upper body) and Tomas Jurco for Wednesday's 4-2 win over Calgary. Franzen was hit near the head area Tuesday against Edmonton by the Oilers' Rob Klinkhammer. Franzen didn't miss a shift but felt ill on the flight to Calgary. Franzen will be re-evaluated Thursday when the Red Wings return to Detroit. Jurco is 22 years old, but looked about four decades older Wednesday as he walked around the Red Wings locker room. The pain in Jurco's lower back was enough to force him out of the lineup Wednesday against the Flames after leaving Tuesday's victory over the Oilers. "It's been sore for a little while," Jurco said. "Last night it just got bad and I had to get out of the game." Jurco played 10 shifts for just more than seven minutes Tuesday. The pain didn't stem from any one hit it's been a gradual condition. "It's not like it was affecting me, not on the ice, maybe when I was sitting on the bench it was sore," said Jurco, who added simple things like bending are the most difficult. "But when I went to play it was good. It's been like that for a little while." And the long flight back to Detroit after Wednesday's game wasn't necessarily something Jurco was looking forward to. "It's going to hurt, but what I can do?" said Jurco, who is day-to-day. Nyquist fined Gustav Nyquist was fined $2,000 by the league for embellishment. Nyquist was given a warning following an incident Nov. 28 against New Jersey which was flagged by NHL Hockey Operations. Nyquist had another incident Dec. 29 against Boston, in which Boston's Chris Kelly was given a tripping penalty. Nyquist was not penalized on the play. Practice, practice Goaltender Petr Mrarzek was accustomed to playing the majority of games when he was in Grand Rapids. 9
But since being recalled ro replace backup Jonas Gustavsson (shoulder) on Nov. 6, Mrazek has been on a much more infrequent schedule. Wednesday's start was Mrazek's first since Dec. 23, a period of five consecutive starts for Howard. "You have to be ready every game," said Mrazek, who made his eighth appearance this season. "You just work hard and be ready. "I wouldn't say it's difficult if I play once every 10 days or two weeks. It's still better than playing three games (in a weekend) in the American League. The level is so much harder (in the NHL)." Practice, however, is now more important for Mrazek. "With Jimmy Bedard (goaltending coach), we are working every day with skating and shooting drills and helping me stay in the game," Mrazek said. Eleven goals for Abdelkader Justin Abdelkader scored his 11th goal Wednesday, his ninth on the road. "I don't know what it is, but I have to change it up a bit," Abdelkader said. "I've always enjoyed playing on this western Canada road swing." The 11 goals are a career high for Abdelkader. He had five points (two goals) in the last two games in Alberta against the Oilers and Flames. Detroit News LOADED: 01.08.2015 10
Red Wings 3, Flames 2: Line of Henrik Zetterberg, Justin Abdelkader, Gustav Nyquist leads the way Ansar Khan akhan1@mlive.com By Ansar Khan akhan1@mlive.com on January 08, 2015 at 12:15 AM, updated January 08, 2015 at 2:08 AM CALGARY, Alberta - Injuries to a pair of regular forwards forced the Detroit Red Wings to shuffle their lines again on Wednesday. But the combination of Henrik Zetterberg, Justin Abdelkader and Gustav Nyquist remained intact for the second game in a row. And the trio teamed up for a pair of goals to lead the Red Wings past the Calgary Flames 3-2 at the Saddledome. Zetterberg, playing in his 800th game, scored the go-ahead goal in the second period and assisted on Abdelkader's goal in the third, which proved to be the game-winner. Nyquist assisted on both goals. Petr Mrazek, making his first appearance since Dec. 23, made 28 saves to improve to 5-2-1. The Red Wings reached the halfway point of the season with a 22-10-9 record as they won two of three games on this Western Canada trip. With 51 points, they are six points ahead of where they were last season at the midway mark (18-14-9). The Red Wings' Johan Franzen was a late scratch due to an upper-body injury suffered in Tuesday's game at Edmonton, when he took a blindside hit to the head from Rob Klinkhammer. Tomas Jurco missed the game with lower-back pain. The Flames played without leading scorer and former Red Wing Jiri Hudler, who rushed to the hospital to be with his wife, who is expecting their first child. Abdelkader scored his career-high 11th goal at 2:03 of the third period, on the power play, to make it 3-1. Nyquist set him up with a nice pass. Abdelkader has five points (two goals, three assists) in the past two games. The Flames responded with a shorthanded goal from Mikael Backlund at 5:13. Calgary had some excellent chances to tie it, but a combination of good goaltending and good luck enabled the Red Wings to hang on. The Flames appeared to score the tying goal with 1:20 to play but it was waved off because Curtis Glencross had knocked off Mrazek's mask during a battle in the crease. The Flames fired the puck into the net with 30.1 seconds to play, but that also was waved off because the whistle had blown due to an offsides. Zetterberg gave the Red Wings a 2-1 lead by scoring his 10th goal at 17:28 of the second period. After Zetterberg won the offensive-zone faceoff, Nyquist passed the puck to him from along the boards. It hit somebody on the way but made its way to Zetterberg, who flipped it past Jonas Hiller. 11
Hiller replaced starting goaltender Karri Ramo, who left at 9:29 of the second period when he was shaken up in a collision with Drew Miller. Ramo had come way out of his net to play the puck. The Flames got off to a red-hot start, registering eight of the first nine shots on goal in the first period. But the Red Wings gained some momentum when Riley Sheahan scored his eighth goal at 7:58 to tie it at 1-1. After a nice give-and-go with Darren Helm in the neutral zone, Sheahan skated over the blue line, made a good move around defenseman Deryk Engelland and beat goaltender Ramo on the short side. Mason Raymond opened the scoring at 2:27. He corralled his own rebound and raced behind the net for an easy wraparound as Mrazek over-committed to his right and couldn't get back in time. Mrazek rebounded quickly, making several big stops during an early Calgary power play to keep his team within one goal. Michigan Live LOADED: 01.08.2015 12
Second-period analysis: Red Wings 2, Flames 1 Ansar Khan akhan1@mlive.com By Ansar Khan akhan1@mlive.com on January 07, 2015 at 11:17 PM, updated January 07, 2015 at 11:39 PM CALGARY, Alberta -- Henrik Zetterberg, playing his 800th career game, gave the Detroit Red Wings a 2-1 lead over the Calgary Flames Wednesday at the Saddledome by scoring his 10th goal at 17:28 of the second period. After Zetterberg won the offensive-zone faceoff, Gustav Nyquist passed the puck to him from along the boards. It somebody on the way but made its way to Zetterberg, who flipped it past Jonas Hiller. Justin Abdelkader also assisted on the play. Hiller replaced starting goaltender Karri Ramo, who left at 9:29 of the second period when he was shaken up in a collision with Drew Miller. Ramo had come way out of his net to play the puck. Petr Mrazek has made 18 saves for the Red Wings. Michigan Live LOADED: 01.08.2015 13
First-period analysis: Red Wings 1, Flames 1 Ansar Khan akhan1@mlive.com By Ansar Khan akhan1@mlive.com on January 07, 2015 at 10:23 PM, updated January 07, 2015 at 10:57 PM CALGARY, Alberta -- The Calgary Flames got off to a red-hot start Wednesday, registering eight of the first nine shots on goal against the Detroit Red Wings at the Saddledome. But the Red Wings gained some momentum when Riley Sheahan scored his eighth goal at 7:58 to tie it at 1-1. Sheahan made a nice move around defenseman Deryk Engelland and beat goaltender Kari Ramo on the short side. Mason Raymond opened the scoring at 2:27. He corralled his own rebound and raced behind the net for an easy wraparound as Petr Mrazek overcommitted to his right and couldn't get back in time. Mrazek made several big saves during an early Flames power play to keep his club within a goal. Michigan Live LOADED: 01.08.2015 14
Injuries to Johan Franzen, Tomas Jurco might prompt Red Wings to take a look at sniper Teemu Pulkkinen Ansar Khan akhan1@mlive.com By Ansar Khan akhan1@mlive.com on January 08, 2015 at 1:01 AM, updated January 08, 2015 at 4:04 AM CALGARY, Alberta -- It appears Johan Franzen will miss more than just Wednesday's game due to an upper-body injury, Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said. Following the 3-2 victory over the Calgary Flames, coach Mike Babcock said Franzen didn't feel good on the short flight in from Edmonton and didn't know if would go on injured reserve. Tomas Jurco also missed the game due to lingering pain in his lower back. With two regular forwards ailing -- both will be re-evaluated on Thursday -- this might be an opportunity for the Red Wings to promote sniper Teemu Pulkkinen from the Grand Rapids Griffins. The red-hot Pulkkinen equaled a Griffins franchise record Wednesday by scoring a goal in his eighth consecutive game. He leads the AHL with 20 goals and is tied for second with 39 points in 33 games. Pulkkinen's right-handed shot would be a bonus. The Red Wings' only righty is fourthline center Luke Glendening. Pulkkinen had no points in three games with Detroit last season. The Red Wings would need to create a roster spot for Pulkkinen by placing somebody on short-term IR. Franzen was injured on the blindside hit he took from Edmonton's Rob Klinkhammer with 5:50 to play in Tuesday's 4-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. Franzen finished the game, however. Klinkhammer leveled Franzen with a shoulder check to the side of the head. Fraznen had to be helped off the ice but returned almost immediately. The Red Wings complained but no penalty was called. Franzen started the season strong but has been struggling for several weeks, with just one goal and eight assists in his past 20 games. He has a team-worst minus-12 rating. Overall, he has seven goals and 15 assists in 33 games. Michigan Live LOADED: 01.08.2015 15
Red Wings' Justin Abdelkader on pace for most productive season, especially on the road Ansar Khan akhan1@mlive.com By Ansar Khan akhan1@mlive.com on January 07, 2015 at 7:04 PM, updated January 07, 2015 at 7:06 PM CALGARY, Alberta - The Detroit Red Wings have always valued Justin Abdelkader for his gritty, hard-nosed play. Now they're reaping the benefits of his burgeoning offensive game. As his team reached the midway mark of the season Wednesday in Calgary, Abdelkader already had equaled his career-high total of 10 goals. And with 21 points he is on pace to easily eclipse his career-high total of 28. "He's been good all year," Red Wings 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." Abdelkader had a goal and two assists in Tuesday's 4-2 victory at Edmonton. He made a nice play, controlling the puck down low, to set up Kyle Quincey's goal. He was at the net to deflected in a blast by Niklas Kronwall and he was creating havoc in front of the goaltender during Pavel Datsyuk's game-winning goal with 34 seconds to play. "He's a good player and he can play with and without the puck," coach Mike Babcock said. "You can play him against the best people. He knows how to play in all situations. He penalty kills, (plays on the) power play for us. He's an important young player for us." Abdelkader, 27, attributes much of his growth to an off-season that included being named captain on the U.S. World Championship team. He is capitalizing on more ice time (17:40 per game is two minutes more than his previous career high). He is averaging more minutes on special teams (4:02 on the power play and penalty kill combined) than any other forward on the club. He leads the team with 74 hits. Abdelkader seems to play his best hockey on the road, at least that's where he's been more productive. He has eight goals and 15 points on the road this season, compared to two goals and six points at home. For his career, he's scored twice as many goals on the road (32) than at home (16) and has 66 points on the road and 43 at Joe Louis Arena. "For whatever reason I've always scored more goals on the road. I don't know what it is," Abdelkader said. "I got to try to change it up. I always enjoy playing in Western Canada." Babcock called Abdelkader "a real hockey player who plays hard every night." 16
"You know he's coming to play, gives you what he's got every single night. He doesn't vary," Babcock said. "He gives skill players a guy to get the puck back. He's good around the net. He's good on the forecheck. You can count on him late in the game to make the right play on the wall." Babcock shuffled his lines for the Edmonton game and played Abdelkader with Zetterberg and Gustav Nyquist. "Abby's a guy who helps us in so many ways," Nyquist said. "A lot of energy, he can skate well, a big body. He's that big net-front presence we all want. He can bring a physical presence. He kills penalties, blocks shots. He's an all-around player." Michigan Live LOADED: 01.08.2015 17
Detroit Red Wings Gameday: Pavel Datsyuk has a long history of burning Calgary Flames Brendan Savage bsavage@mlive.com By Brendan Savage bsavage@mlive.com on January 07, 2015 at 6:06 PM, updated January 07, 2015 at 6:07 PM GAME INFORMATION Who: Detroit Red Wings (21-10-9) at Calgary Flames (21-16-3) When: 9:30 p.m. Where: Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary TV: Fox Sports Detroit Plus 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 8:30 p.m. ET. GAME NOTES Pavel Datsyuk is always somebody to watch on regardless of who the Detroit Red Wings are playing. They don't call him The Magic Man for nothing. But it might be wise to pay especially close attention to Datsyuk tonight, when the Red Wings meet the Calgary Flames for the first time this season. In 42 career games vs. the Flames, Datsyuk has 43 points. That includes 13 goals. He also has recorded at least one point in six of the last seven games. Datsyuk has two goals and five assists in that span after scoring the game-winner with 34 seconds left in Tuesday's 4-2 win at Edmonton. Henrik Zetterberg has eight points in his last eight games.... Petr Mrazek will be making his first start for the Red Wings since beating Buffalo 6-3 Dec. 23. He has allowed nine goals in his last five appearances.... The Red Wings are 1-7 in shootouts and have lost their last four games that were decided in the skills competition. Detroit is 3-2 in overtime. The Flames have been one of the NHL's streakiest teams this season. Before losing 2-1 to the Islanders Friday, their previous 16 games saw them win four in a row, losing the next eight and then win four straight. Goaltender Karri Ramo will be making his first start for the Flames since Dec. 16. In his last three appearances, Ramo is 0-3 with a 4.48 GAA.... Calgary is 3-1 in shootouts and 5-2 in overtime.... The Flames, who have missed the playoffs the past five years, 18
had a 14-21-6 record at this point last season. They're ninth in the Western Conference, two points shy of holding down a playoff berth. Former Red Wings forward Jiri Hudler is enjoying his best season in three years with the Flames. He leads the team in scoring with 13 goals and 25 assists in 39 games. That has Hudler on pace to top the career-highs for goals (25 in 2011-12) and points (57 in 2008-09) he recorded in Detroit. Flames rookie John Gaudreau, who shares the team lead in goals with Hudler, has seven goals and one assist in his last six games.... Hudler has had at least one point in six straight games. He has eight assists in that span.... Calgary has an 11-7-2 record at home this season.... Detroit is 8-6-3 on the road. Michigan Live LOADED: 01.08.2015 19
Red Wings' Tomas Jurco will have ailing lower back evaluated; Gustav Nyquist fined $2,000 for diving Ansar Khan akhan1@mlive.com By Ansar Khan akhan1@mlive.com on January 07, 2015 at 4:48 PM, updated January 07, 2015 at 6:30 PM CALGARY, Alberta - Tomas Jurco, with his ailing lower back, was dreading the long flight home following Wednesday's game in Calgary. "Yeah, it's going to hurt, but what can I do?" Jurco said. The Detroit Red Wings forward was scratched from the game against the Flames, after leaving Tuesday's game following the second period. "It's been a little sore for a while and last night it got really bad," Jurco said Wednesday, after receiving treatment. "I just had to get out of the game." Jurco said he is "probably day to day." But he plans on having tests done when he returns to Detroit. He said it didn't happen from a hit. He feels it more when he bends over. It's something he's experience before. "I was always playing a little sore but it wasn't too bad," Jurco said. "It's not like it was affecting me. Not on the ice, maybe sometimes on the bench sitting. But then when I went to play I was good again and went to the bench and I was sore. It's been like that for a little while but I was still good to play with. Just last night it got worse." Nyquist fined for diving The NHL announced Wednesday that Red Wings forward Gustav Nyquist has been fined $2,000 for diving/embellishment. Nyquist was issued a warning following an incident flagged by NHL Hockey Operations during the Nov. 28 game at New Jersey. His second citation, which triggered the fine, was issued for an incident on Dec. 29 in Boston. Bruins forward Chris Kelly received a tripping penalty on the play but Nyquist was not penalized. Michigan Live LOADED: 01.08.2015 20
Petr Mrazek starts in goal as Red Wings reach midway point of season in game at Calgary Ansar Khan akhan1@mlive.com By Ansar Khan akhan1@mlive.com on January 07, 2015 at 2:02 PM, updated January 07, 2015 at 4:10 PM CALGARY, Alberta - Goaltender Petr Mrazek will make his first start in two weeks tonight as the Detroit Red Wings face the Calgary Flames to wrap up their three-game Western Canada trip (9:30, Fox Sports Detroit). Mrazek's last appearance was a 6-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Dec. 23. Mrazek is 4-2-1, with a 2.35 goals-against average and.917 save percentage. The young goalie had to get accustomed to playing sporadically for the first time in his career, having made only seven appearances since mid-november. He was recalled from the Grand Rapids Griffins to replace Jonas Gustavsson, who suffered a dislocated shoulder on Nov. 5. "I don't spend a whole lot of time worrying about (Mrazek's workload), I just know in this league when you get your starts you got to win or else you don't get the starts," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said following Tuesday's 4-2 win in Edmonton. "His job is to be a pro and be ready. We got a good goalie coach (Jim Bedard) and they work hard." Mrazek said it hasn't been difficult adjusting to the lighter workload. "If I'm playing here one game in 10 days or two weeks, it's much better than playing three games in the AHL," Mrazek said. "The level here is so much higher." The Red Wings will be without Tomas Jurco, who exited Tuesday's game after the second period due to back spasms. He'll be replaced by Joakim Andersson, a healthy scratch the past seven games. The Red Wings (21-10-9) will be playing their 41st game, reaching the midway point of their season. It will be captain Henrik Zetterberg's 800th career game. The Flames (21-16-3) have gone 4-8-1 in their past 13 games following a strong start. Former Red Wing Jiri Hudler leads Calgary with 13 goals and 38 points and is riding a six-game points streak (no goals, eight assists). Kari Ramo (8-5-1, 2.69 GAA,.903 save percentage) is expected to start in goal, his first appearance since Dec. 16. Michigan Live LOADED: 01.08.2015 21
Detroit Red Wings Q&A: Tomas Tatar dishes on adjusting to U.S., Riley Sheahan's hoop skills Brendan Savage bsavage@mlive.com By Brendan Savage bsavage@mlive.com on January 07, 2015 at 12:12 PM, updated January 07, 2015 at 1:23 PM DETROIT - Tomas Tatar scored 19 goals during his first full campaign in the NHL last season and he hasn't missed a beat with a team-leading 16 this year. A native of Czechoslovakia, Tatar was the Red Wings' second-round pick (60th overall) in the 2009 NHL draft. Before joining the Red Wings fulltime, he helped Grand Rapids win the 2013 AHL championship and was named the playoff MVP. In a Q&A with MLive, Tatar talks about adjusting to life in the United States, Dan Cleary's sense of humor and why Riley Sheahan would win a team-wide talent contest. MLive: What was the toughest adjustment for you to living and playing in the U.S.? Tatar: The language, for sure. MLive: How long did it take you to get used to that? Tatar: Like a year. When I got to Grand Rapids my first year was kind of rough. But I got lucky. I had good teammates so they took care of me. Bu the language barrier was the biggest thing. MLive: When you're over here playing, other than your family what do you miss most about your homeland? Tatar: Obviously friends. You get used to home and certain things. When you're here you don't have it. MLive: What's the craziest thing you've ever been asked to autograph? Tatar: Probably parts of the body. MLive: How much fun was that? Tatar: It's fun but at the same time it's a little awkward. MLive: Who's the funniest guy on the team, the one who keeps everybody loose on the bus, in the room, on the plane? Tatar: Probably Dan Cleary. His sense of humor is really fun. MLive: If you weren't playing hockey what do you think you'd be doing? Tatar: I'd like to play other sports like maybe soccer or tennis. MLive: If you owned the Red Wings, what's the one thing you'd do for the players? Tatar: Probably give them gifts, like Christmas gifts. Give them more stuff to wear. More gifts. MLive: Do you have any guilty pleasures? 22
Tatar: I like sweets. Chocolate thunder with ice cream. It's like a chocolate brownie, a sundae. MLive: If you had a team talent show, who would win? Tatar: (Riley) Sheahan. MLive: What would he do? Tatar: Basketball tricks. MLive: Did you have a welcome to the NHL moment where you knew you really arrived? Tatar: Probably last year when I got here for the whole season. I knew this was a chance to stay here. MLive: What's your favorite movie? Tatar: I don't really have one. MLive: What's the best Christmas gift you ever got? Tatar: Probably a hockey helmet. MLive: What's the worst? Tatar: People are always giving me nice gifts. Michigan Live LOADED: 01.08.2015 23
Abdelkader, Zetterberg lift Red Wings over Flames By The Associated Press Posted: 01/08/15, 12:42 AM EST Updated: 4 mins ago CALGARY, Alberta >> Justin Abdelkader got a second chance, and he made the most of it. Abdelkader and Henrik Zetterberg each had a goal and an assist to lead the Detroit Red Wings to a 3-2 victory over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Riley Sheahan also scored for Detroit (22-10-9), which has won five of seven. The Red Wings have won two of the first three games on a six-game trip. The trio of Zetterberg, Abdelkader and Gustav Nyquist helped Detroit to a 3-1 lead 2:03 into the third period. Moving the puck around smartly on the power play, Nyquist set up Abdelkader at the corner of the goal crease. Staring at a wide open net, Abdelkader s initial shot rattled off the far post but it came right back to him and he buried his career-high 11th goal. I probably had more time to sit it down and take it easy but I don t know why, I just decided to one-time it, Abdelkader said, and luckily it came right back to me and I had a chance to put it in. So I can laugh about that one. Mason Raymond and Mikael Backlund scored for Calgary (21-17-3). The Flames are 3-2 on a six-game homestand. The Flames reached the halfway point of the season in ninth place in the Western Conference, two points back of the second wild-card spot. It s tough in here right now, Flames captain Mark Giordano said. I thought a couple breaks go the other way and we at least get it to overtime. We have to take some positives out of that. Detroit is third in the Atlantic Division, one point behind Montreal. The Red Wings took a 2-1 lead at 17:28 of the second period, shortly after killing their third consecutive minor penalty and second to Abdelkader. Zetterberg started the sequence by beating Sean Monahan on a faceoff deep in the Flames end. Detroit worked the puck around, and Zetterberg got it back on a pass from Abdelkader and beat Jonas Hiller. For Zetterberg, playing in his 800th career game, that s 10 goals on the season five of which have come in the last nine games. It s always nice to get goals nowadays. Obviously this game is a little bit more special, Zetterberg said. We played the way we wanted to and I think that s important. It was nice to see we bounced back after the Vancouver loss to win the last two games. Calgary cut the deficit to 3-2 on Backlund s short-handed goal at 5:13. 24
A goal by Paul Byron goal with 1:20 left was waved off because Red Wings goalie Petr Mrazek had his helmet knocked off when Ericsson pushed Curtis Glencross into him. I don t know if he would have got over and made the save or had a chance on it but that s obviously a tough break to happen at that time in the game, Giordano said. Unfortunately, it probably cost us a goal tonight. Calgary didn t take advantage of four power plays. Ranked 26th entering the game, the Flames power play is 3 for 38 in its the last 11 games. Detroit entered ranked fourth in penalty killing. Our penalty kill was great tonight. We had some big kills, Abdelkader said. Whether it s penalty kill or power play, both of those can create equal momentum for you and that was no different tonight. Hiller entered halfway through the second period in relief of Karri Ramo. Making his first start since Dec. 16, Ramo only made it halfway through for the second game in a row. Against the New York Rangers, Ramo was pulled after giving up four goals on 13 shots. This time, Ramo had 12 saves and was locked in a 1-1 tie when he was injured in a collision with teammate Raphael Diaz. Racing out of the crease to dive and knock the puck away from Detroit forward Drew Miller, Ramo was kneed in the head by Diaz, who was chasing after Miller. Ramo was helped off the ice and to the dressing room. We should have more news tomorrow, Flames coach Bob Hartley said. It s sad for Karri because he worked so hard. He got sick before Christmas, lost a start at that time and he battled back. He seemed ready for tonight s game. The Flames were without leading scorer Jiri Hudler, who was a last-minute scratch to join his wife, who was about to give birth to their first child.... The Red Wings were without forwards Johan Franzen (upper body) and Tomas Jurco (back). Daniel Cleary and Joakim Andersson returned after missing six games.... The Flames activated Ladislav Smid (upper body) from the injured list but he didn t play. Rookie C Markus Granlund and D Corey Potter were returned to Adirondack (AHL). Macomb Daily LOADED: 01.08.2015 25
Notes: Jurco misses Calgary game; Nyquist fined DANA WAKIJI FOX Sports Detroit JAN 07, 2015 6:43p ET Tomas Jurco said he would undergo tests on his back when the team returns to Detroit after the game Wednesday. The Red Wings will be without Tomas Jurco tonight in Calgary. Jurco left Tuesday night's game in Edmonton after the second period because of back spasms. "It's been a little sore for a while and (Tuesday) night it got really bad," Jurco told reporters in Calgary Wednesday. "I just had to get out of the game." Jurco said he would undergo tests on his back when the team returns to Detroit after the game Wednesday. He didn't expect the long flight to be much fun. "Yeah, it's going to hurt, but what can I do?" Jurco said. Jurco said he's had lower back pain before but nothing that forced him to miss time. "It's not like it was affecting me," Jurco said. "Not on the ice, maybe sometimes on the bench sitting. But then when I went to play I was good again and went to the bench and I was sore. It's been like that for a little while but I was still good to play with, just last night it got worse." NYQUIST FINED The NHL announced Wednesday that forward Gustav Nyquist has received a $2,000 fine Wednesday as supplementary discipline for diving/embellishment. According to NHL.com, NHL Rule 64 "is designed to bring attention to and more seriously penalize players (and teams) who repeatedly dive and embellish in an attempt to draw penalties." The NHL's Hockey Operations department tracks all games and issues citations on a graduated scale. After receiving a warning, a player's next infraction is a $2,000 fine. Each subsequent citation increase the fine amount by $1,000. The maximum fine for a player is $5,000. If a player gets a fifth citation after the initial warning, then the player's head coach is fined $2,000 in addition to the player's fine of $5,000. If that player gets additional citations, the head coach's fine increases by $1,000 each time up to a maximum of $5,000. 26
According to the story on NHL.com, Nyquist received an initial warning from an incident Nov. 28 at New Jersey. Then on Dec. 29 at Boston, NHL's Hockey Operations department determined that the play in which Bruins forward Chris Kelly took a tripping penalty, Nyquist was guilty of diving or embellishment. MRAZEK GETS A START Jimmy Howard is the Wings starting goaltender, which leaves backup Petr Mrazek mostly on the bench. But since Howard started Tuesday in Edmonton, Mrazek gets the call for Wednesday's game in Calgary. It's Mrazek's first start since Dec. 23 against Buffalo. "If I'm playing here one game in 10 days or two weeks, it's much better than playing three games in the AHL," Mrazek told reporters in Calgary. "The level here is so much higher." Mrazek, 22, said he works hard in practice with goaltending coach Jim Bedard to stay fresh. "I wouldn't say it's difficult," Mrazek said. "You have to be ready every game. You never know what happens. Practice hard and be ready." It will be Mrazek's eighth game of the season. He is 4-2-1 with a 2.35 goals-against average and.917 save percentage. It's Mrazek's fifth game on the road. "I played here in World Juniors in 2012," Mrazek said. "The games on the road are fun. You have to enjoy it and have fun if you're playing at home or on the road, it's the same game." foxsports.com LOADED: 01.08.2015 27
Wings' Mrazek gets nod against Flames JACK CASSIDY AP JAN 07, 2015 11:30a ET Rick Osentoski Petr Mrazek has surrendered eight total goals in his last four starts. Given their streaky nature, the Calgary Flames' loss on Friday could send them spiraling into another long losing streak. An ensuing win, however, would be their fifth in six games and help to put any negative feelings to rest. Calgary will hope for the latter Wednesday night when it hosts the Detroit Red Wings (8:30 p.m. pregame, 9 p.m. face-off on FOX Sports Detroit PLUS). The Flames (21-16-3) have become a team of streaks since they capped a solid start to the season with four straight wins to move one point behind the Western Conference's top spot on Dec. 4. Following their hot spell, the Flames embarked on an eight-game losing streak before bouncing back on yet another four-game win streak - a run that was stopped Friday in a 2-1 defeat to the New York Islanders. It's a turbulent stretch that coach Bob Hartley has gladly accepted. "If someone from the NHL would've come to us at training camp and said 'After 40 games we're going to give you this record and this position in the standings' I would've taken it," Hartley said. "I would've taken it." Calgary's defensive play of late has played a large role in its success. Since Nov. 26, the Flames have allowed 1.63 goals in their eight wins and 3.11 goals in their nine losses. Karri Ramo has played sparingly in net for Calgary this season, but he will get his first start since Dec. 16 on Wednesday. Ramo has recorded losses in each of his last three appearances, posting a 4.48 goals-against average in that span. "It's always nice to play," Ramo said. "I think the most important thing is just to focus, try not to do to much. It's just focus and letting the puck come to you. The Red Wings (21-10-9) will counter with their backup as well, giving the nod to Petr Mrazek for his first start since Dec. 23. Mrazek has surrendered eight total goals in his last four starts. Detroit improved to 1-1 on its six-game road trip with a 4-2 victory over Edmonton on Tuesday. Pavel Datsyuk scored the tiebreaking goal with 34 seconds remaining on an assist from Henrik Zetterberg, who tallied his eighth point in his last eight games. 28
"We just stayed poised, we created and did a lot of good stuff out there," Zetterberg said. "It's fun to see it work out this way." Datsyuk has 30 points despite missing 11 games this season, ranking behind only Zetterberg (34 points). "When your top two players are your most complete players, and they play the right way, you can rest assured that your culture is going to be a good one," Hartley said of Detroit. "Datsyuk and Zetterberg could probably go 10 games without a goal and I would still count on the Red Wings to win many games because they play the right way. They don't cheat the game." Mason Raymond is expected to be in the lineup for Calgary after sitting out each of the last two games as a healthy scratch. He returned from a shoulder injury on Dec. 9 but was held without a point in the subsequent 10 games. Mikael Backlund could also return to the lineup, although his status is questionable. Backlund, who has been out since Oct. 28 with an abdominal injury, practiced with the team Tuesday. Detroit has taken its last two meetings with the Flames, most recently a 3-2 win on Dec. 19, 2013. Datsyuk assisted on all three goals, giving him 43 points in 42 career games against Calgary. foxsports.com LOADED: 01.08.2015 29
Duff: Abdelkader off to best start of career By Bob Duff / Windsor Star Justin Abdelkader credits spending last spring in Minsk, Belarus for the best start to his National Hockey League career. Abdelkader played there for Team USA in the world championship and believes suiting up alongside unfamiliar teammates and hearing another message from a coaching staff provided him with new ways of looking at things as his 2014-15 season got underway with the Detroit Red Wings. The result is that as the Wings prepared to face the Flames in Calgary Wednesday, leftwinger Abdelkader has already matched his career high with 10 goals through 33 games and his 21-point total is just seven off the career best of 28 set last season. I think out of the five years (as an NHLer), I feel the best I ve ever felt on the ice, said Abdelkader, 27, who picked up a goal and an assist in Tuesday s 4-2 win at Edmonton. I feel the most confident. Playing for Nashville Predators coach Peter Laviolette and his staff of Joe Sacco, Phil Housley and Don Granato, brother of Wings assistant coach Tony Granato, opened up Abdelkader s eyes to other possibilities for him as a player. I had a good summer of training, and a good world championships, said Abdelkader, who netted three goals and four points in seven games for the USA. It kind of opened things up, playing with different guys, having different coaches. I think it just opens up your mind to different things. Sometimes you can be stuck on one mindset. Going over there, being on a world stage, playing with players you don t typically play with, playing a different type of game, I learned a lot. Even last time I went in 2012 I came back a different player and I think that s the same this time around. I think I was counted on as a leader on the team. The personal goals Abdelkader set entering the season are steadily coming to fruition. It s about just being counted on, Abdelkader explained. Whether I get an opportunity on the power play or it s on the penalty kill, and also being counted on towards the end of games. It s just becoming a player that can contribute not only statistically in the points category, but overall, shift by shift and helping whether it s offensive-zone possession, being good defensively, being a hard worker, just setting an example on the ice. 30