Mike Babcock appreciates struggling Red Wings' effort

[titanium2 867]

http://www.detnews.com/article/20091214/SP...0363/1128/rss16

Detroit -- This isn't something anybody around here is used to, that is for sure.

The Red Wings, so accustomed to being on top of the hill in the Western Conference looking down at the rest of the ants scrambling for a foothold in the playoff race, are now among the scrambling ants.

But you'd have to be pretty spoiled not to appreciate how hard the Wings are fighting, as coach Mike Babcock said Saturday, "to keep our fingers hanging on to the cliff."

Detroit's two impressive overtime wins against Anaheim Friday and at Nashville Saturday, didn't make a dent in the logjam at the back end of the conference playoff hunt. It remains in ninth place, a point out of eighth, two points out of seventh and three points out of sixth -- not gaining, but still hanging.

"We have had a lot of really bright spots," Babcock said, before the Wings beat the Predators. "Sometimes when you are on the outside looking in, you think, 'Geez, look at where they're at.' Well, take a look. Patrick Eaves has been fantastic. Jonathan Ericsson has been as good as you could expect. Darren Helm and Justin Abdelkader have been great for us. Brad May's been great. Jimmy Howard's been great.

"So you go through the whole thing and we have a lot of guys playing as good as they are capable. We just have to keep hanging on and keep trying to pick up points."

Sooner than later now, some of the wounded players are going to be coming back. Valtteri Filppula is about 10 days away from returning to full practice. Niklas Kronwall, Danny Cleary and Jason Williams are expected to follow a couple of weeks after.

In the meantime, "We keep finding ways to win, and that's what's important," said Drew Miller, who had a goal and an assist Saturday. "A lot of guys are stepping up. Mostly Todd (Bertuzzi) is stepping up for the team and getting some huge goals for us. But it's not just him, everybody is stepping up and making a contribution."

Bertuzzi scored four goals, including overtime winners Friday and Saturday. His last three goals have been the work of a very accomplished goal scorer.

On his winner Friday he tucked a hard-angle shot over Jean-Sebastien Giguere's shoulder, hitting a small opening just inside the intersection of the crossbar and near goal post.

His first goal Saturday came off a deft spin move and backhand. And his winner against the Predators was a testament to his strength. With defenseman Kevin Klein on his back, Bertuzzi was able to put a forehand-backhand move on Pekka Rinne that faked the goalie out of his crease.

"I guess he's a strong guy," Rinne said. "I thought there was no way that he could go back to his backhand. Somehow he pulled that off and made a nice goal."

But Bertuzzi doesn't get all the bouquets.

The Wings' defensive play has been stellar. Saturday's game was the third in four nights. Captain Nick Lidstrom logged a little more than 78 minutes in the three games. Brad Stuart, despite some soreness in his knee, logged more than 76. Brian Rafalski, who despite a 15-stitch gash in his upper lip, logged 74 minutes, including a brilliant 27-plus-minute performance Saturday.

The Wings allowed five goals in the three games, on an average of 27 shots (35 by the Predators). They killed off 10 of 11 power-play chances (28 of the last 29).

They are, as Babcock said, doing what they are capable of.

"Bottom line is, guys keep getting better," Babcock said. "Guys are getting a lot of ice time that they normally wouldn't and they are contributing. If we can stay in the hunt here, we have a chance to be a good team long-term."

[HOCKEY MATTERS 167]

Level headed analysis by Babs. How long till this thread gets flamed? My guess is it won't last 2 pages, proving LGW sucks. lol.

[titanium2 867]

Level headed analysis by Babs. How long till this thread gets flamed? My guess is it won't last 2 pages, proving LGW sucks. lol.

Maybe we should start a betting pool to see how long it takes for this thread to fall into the depths of the archives.

[ben_usmc 253]

exactly how I feel about this team. At certain times (well most of the times aside these last 2 games) we have not looked good. But we have still managed to keep up with everyone else, I'm also happy that Eaves/Helm/Abby have made it very hard for players coming back from injury and players in the line up to justify playing over those players. I'm also happy J-ho has shown he can start for us (for now). Although I don't have faith in Big Bert keeping pace I'd be very excited if he did.

[Rivalred 630]

It is a little confusing, just a few games ago he did not appreciate their play, nor did Kris "Empty net" Draper, or many LGW Members.

Something smells fishy and no, I do not mean debris or particles from octopus remains.

Edited December 14, 2009 by Rivalred

[mmamolo 287]

I think that Draper and Babcock weren't happy with the fact that the Wings were, at the time, struggling to put together a full 60 minute effort. I think guys were working hard but not everyone in unison.

I really hope that guys like Helm, Eaves, Miller and Abdelkader keep playing as well as they have and create more competition when the injured players come back. I think it would be detrimental for Filppula and Williams to be able to walk back on to the ice and take time away fro mthose guys and be expected to contribute after being off the ice for such a long time. I think the harder both Filppula and Williams have to work to get their ice time back the more beneficial it will be for the team no matter who earns the ice time. Obviously, I think this makes more sense for Williams but still.

[Rivalred 630]

I think that Draper and Babcock weren't happy with the fact that the Wings were, at the time, struggling to put together a full 60 minute effort. I think guys were working hard but not everyone in unison.

I really hope that guys like Helm, Eaves, Miller and Abdelkader keep playing as well as they have and create more competition when the injured players come back. I think it would be detrimental for Filppula and Williams to be able to walk back on to the ice and take time away fro mthose guys and be expected to contribute after being off the ice for such a long time. I think the harder both Filppula and Williams have to work to get their ice time back the more beneficial it will be for the team no matter who earns the ice time. Obviously, I think this makes more sense for Williams but still.

Agree...

Helm, Eaves, Abd, Miller, and some others have kept this team a float. I mean the play of Stuart has been AMAZING. Nothing should be taken away from these players when others become healthy.

Lack of effort and plenty of mistakes has been the issue. I just wish Z and Pavel would start producing.

[gcom007 1,465]

Nothing fishy. We were looking pretty solid for awhile. Kronwall went down and things got really ugly for a stretch. Words were said. The team responded and they've put in a great effort the last few games. They should be happy and proud of what they're doing right now. They're continually battling to find ways to work with the guys they have available and win games. The depth of this team is getting so much development right now that once we do have a healthy roster (here's hoping at least...) down the stretch, we're going to be scary heading into the playoffs.

[CMatt89 63]

I think that Draper and Babcock weren't happy with the fact that the Wings were, at the time, struggling to put together a full 60 minute effort. I think guys were working hard but not everyone in unison.

I really hope that guys like Helm, Eaves, Miller and Abdelkader keep playing as well as they have and create more competition when the injured players come back. I think it would be detrimental for Filppula and Williams to be able to walk back on to the ice and take time away fro mthose guys and be expected to contribute after being off the ice for such a long time. I think the harder both Filppula and Williams have to work to get their ice time back the more beneficial it will be for the team no matter who earns the ice time. Obviously, I think this makes more sense for Williams but still.

As I do agree with the praising of the young guys, We have to face the fact that they need Val Filpulla back desperately. They need that second center badly. Scoring will benefit from it. None of these guys, (except Helm) were supposed to be regular players. I dont see it changing, unfortunately.