Detroit — The task for the Red Wings of getting into the playoffs became tougher with Tuesday’s loss against Washington. Now, it’s gotten a tad more difficult with injuries.
Already without forward Michael Rasmussen (upper body) for the last two games, the Wings lost forward Andrew Copp to a broken cheekbone.
Copp was struck with an errant Washington stick late in Tuesday’s game — no penalty was called on the play — and coach Derek Lalonde said doctors confirmed the broken cheekbone Wednesday morning. Copp will miss Thursday’s game in Pittsburgh, but Lalonde is leaving the door open for Copp possibly returning for Saturday’s game in Toronto.
Rasmussen will also miss the game against Pittsburgh.
“You’re losing two very important pieces to our forward group with some size,” said Lalonde, adding it’s two of the Wings’ best penalty killers and two-thirds of a line, with Christian Fischer, that had been playing effectively in recent weeks.
“You just ask more from everyone. You need some of that heavy and zone time and you need to win position and those guys are able to do that. You’re just asking guys to step up a little more.”
Lalonde hinted there might be a slim chance of Copp returning against the Maple Leafs. There will be a protocol that Copp must go through and he must be cleared after extensive testing, but there is a chance.
“There’s a process to it but I would love to see him roll out with his old Michigan college cage (helmet) on and give us games down the stretch,” Lalonde said. “But time will tell.”
The Wings recalled forward Zach Aston-Reese from Grand Rapids and he’ll be in the lineup against the Penguins. Aston-Reese skated with Austin Czarnik and Fischer on a fourth line.
Lalonde had Dylan Larkin centering Alex DeBrincat and Lucas Raymond, J.T. Compher between David Perron and Patrick Kane, and Joe Veleno between Robby Fabbri and Daniel Sprong.
The Wings and Pittsburgh are both one point behind Washington in the standings, with the Capitals holding down the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot. All three teams have four games left.
“Washington came in and found a way to win here,” Lalonde said. “If we go into Pittsburgh and find a way to win, all of a sudden it’s amazing how the math kind of flips and turns in our favor again. It feels like a playoff, not only the caliber of the game and intensity of the game but managing the highs and lows. It’s no different in a seven-game series where you play well and find a way to lose. How do you bounce back? That’ll be our task.
“Washington had lost six straight games and won last night and find themselves over the (playoff) line. We had our struggles and win the other night and found ourselves over the line. These teams that find a way to win, we’re all playing each other, so just take care of your business and we have a perfect opportunity (Thursday). It’s simple math, if we can find a way to get two points against Pittsburgh, we leapfrog them.”
Correct decision
Kane had to think long and hard about having hip resurfacing surgery last summer, a procedure that has forced some NHL players into retirement rather than back on the ice.
But Kane had it, signed with the Wings as an unrestricted free agent and scored his 20th goal Tuesday (in only 46 games).
It sure seems like the surgery was the right move.
“I feel pretty good on the ice, definitely feel better than last year, which makes it feel like a good decision,” Kane said. “You’re never really sure going into surgery whether it’s the right decision or not, but I put it off for two or three years, so it was probably time to do it.
“I’m really happy with everything. I feel like it’s going to get better and better as time goes on, which is exciting. It’s been a good decision, for sure.”
General manager Steve Yzerman said last month he hasn’t given much thought on the futures of any potential UFAs but did acknowledge the positives Kane has brought to the organization. Kane has consistently talked of his enjoyment joining the Wings and did so again Wednesday.
“It’s been great, nothing but positive things to say about the organization and coaches and team,” Kane said. “I’m happy with the decision to come here. It’s not an easy decision where you want to play and where you think you’d fit best, but I’m really happy with coming here and being a Wing and playing at LCA and the way the fans have embraced me.
“You never know with the Chicago and Detroit rivalry, but it’s been really great.”
Penguins’ resurgence
Pittsburgh traded one of its core players, Jake Guentzel, at the deadline to Carolina, and to many observers it was a sign of the Penguins beginning a rebuild.
Instead, the Penguins have gradually turned around their season. They have earned points in nine consecutive games and have surged into playoff contention.
“You go through their lineup and there’s a reason everyone had them in the playoffs (to begin the season),” Lalonde said. “Not only world-class players but world-class drive.
“Nedo (goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic, a former Wing) is playing at a real high level and we’ve experienced that. Nedo probably cost us some draft picks (with late-season victories) with how well he played last year. He’s capable of some real good goaltending, and he’s a great teammate and he’s a winner.”
@tkulfan
Red Wings at Penguins
▶ Faceoff: 7 p.m. Thursday, PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh
▶ TV/radio: BSD/97.1
▶ Outlook: The Penguins (36-30-12) and Wings (38-32-8) both have 84 points and trail Washington by one point in the race for a playoff spot. Pittsburgh has earned points in nine of its last 10 games (6-1-3). The teams have split two games this season. C Sidney Crosby (40 goals) is having another remarkable season, while former Wing Alex Nedeljkovic (16-6-7, 2.82 GAA., .907 SVS) has taken over the goaltending position.
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