Of Red Wings-related note ahead of tonight’s game against the New York Islanders (7:00 PM on FSD Plus/MSG+/97.1 FM):
1. Here is the Red Wings’ Game-Day Preview video, in Twitter form:
Carley Johnston and @KenKalDRW get you set for tonight’s matchup with the Islanders. Hear from @Dylanlarkin39, @antomantha8, and Coach Blashill in our @ComericaCares GameDay Preview. | #DETvsNYI #LGRW pic.twitter.com/BPNCnc5YNp
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 9, 2018
2. New York Islanders coach Doug Weight spoke with the media prior to the game, confirming that Thomas Greiss would start in goal (opposite Wings goalie Petr Mrazek), and that the Islanders may get defenseman Johnny Boychuk back from injury:
Greiss in goal. Same skaters up front, but seven defensemen taking warmups. Sounds like Lee will be back on the top line. #Isles
— Cory Wright (@WrightsWay) February 9, 2018
Doug Weight: Greiss in goal tonight, seven D will take warmups (including Boychuk), same forwards. #Isles#DETvsNYIpic.twitter.com/IyhluEFVZ4
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) February 9, 2018
Update: Here’s Wings coach Jeff Blashill speaking with the media:
Coach Blashill prior to #DETvsNYI. #LGRW
Catch #RedWingsLIVE pregame at 6:30pm on @FoxSportsDET PLUS pic.twitter.com/iVqQrHi0jW
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 9, 2018
Update #2: This Blashill quote, from Hockeybuzz’s Bob Duff, seems appropriate:
“I’ve been at some consistent teams that won consistently and the nights when we didn’t play good, we still won,” Blashill said. “We don’t have that luxury here. Those were teams that just had way more talent than our opponent in general, so we could not play great and win.
“Ten years ago, there were lots of nights here when that happened. That’s not happening now. It doesn’t mean every night we go in we have an absolute, but if we play our best hockey, I’ll take our chances all day long. I’ve got great belief, but we’ve got to play that close to the vest hockey every night.
“Most teams don’t do that. We’ve got to be different than most teams. We’ve got to be on that edge every night of playing our very best hockey. It’s a hard thing. I can go through the league and tell you Tampa has scored easy this year. There’s been lots of nights I’ve talked to their coach (Jon Cooper) where they didn’t play good and won. That’s not happening for is, so we’ve got to make sure we play as close to optimal every single night the rest of the way.”
Duff continues to discuss the Wings’ goal drought…
