Justin Abdelkader delivers for Red Wings in Game 3 return

 

By @SKubus –

DETROIT – Justin Abdelkader made his return to the Red Wings’ lineup for Game 3 Tuesday night and did what he did all season: he delivered.

Abdelkader was responsible for six of Detroit’s 48 hits, one blocked shot, a surprisingly positive pair of penalty minutes and for setting up Riley Sheahan’s pivotal insurance marker at 6:42 of the third period in the Red Wings’ 3-0 victory.

And that’s just what is officially recorded on the scoresheet, too.

“He’s unbelievable, he had so much energy, he’s a leader and skates really well,” Sheahan said of Abdelkader. “We can watch him play and it’s motivating. It gives your team some confidence.”

Abdelkader missed six games due to a hand injury after blocking a shot late in the regular season, but said being able to still use his legs went a long way in preparing for his return.

“Any time you’re out for any amount of time longer than a week, I think you’re going to feel a little winded, but the good thing is with the injury, I could still skate and keep my legs, and that was huge,” Abdelkader said. “I think that went a long ways in helping me feel pretty good out there tonight. Obviously I got tired as the game went, kind of did go up and down a bit, but it felt really good.”

Detroit head coach Mike Babcock said Abdelkader’s competitive, determined nature gave his team both a more thorough balanced attack and neutralizing defensive game.

“Abby gave us, well, it’s not one player, but we had three lines that are real comfortable playing and that gave us better matchups and better offensive zone play. In the end, that led to the win.”

 

But perhaps what stuck out most about the Muskegon native’s gritty, physical effort Tuesday night was how he stuck up for young goaltender Petr Mrazek near the halfway point of the third period. Seconds after stopping Brian Boyle on a shorthanded breakaway, Cedric Paquette skated by Mrazek and stuck his stick out to trip Mrazek, earning a delayed goaltender interference minor.

That’s when Abdelkader stepped in, and though he received a roughing minor, the act electrified the Joe Louis Arena crowd and ultimately didn’t hurt his team on the ice.

“When I saw the play, I thought it was a really dirty play,” Abdelkader said. “There’s no need for that. I took offense to it. It’s one of those plays where if I don’t do anything we’re going on a five-on-three but I just thought it was a pretty dirty play, and I was pretty upset about it.”

The former Michigan State Spartans standout also credited the raucous Joe Louis Arena crowd for doing its part as the ‘extra attacker,’ fueling the Red Wings’ energy throughout the night en route to the victory and series lead.

“I think the crowd energized our team tonight, definitely energized me, and we look forward to Thursday.”