Sheahan out ‘for a bit’; Datsyuk status for Saturday unknown

DETROIT >> The Wings will be without center Riley Sheahan for “for a bit” according to coach Mike Babcock.

Sheahan suffered an upper-body injury during Thursday’s 6-4 loss to the San Jose Sharks.

“Obviously he brings a lot, but someone else gets an opportunity,” Babcock said of Sheahan. “I made a policy over the last few years, there’s no sense in talking about the guys who aren’t here. We’ll talk about the guys who are.”

Sheahan had played every game this season, totaling 12 goals, 22 assists and a minus-2 rating.

Pavel Datsyuk took part on line drills at practice, centering a line with Darren Helm and Tomas Tatar on wing.

Babcock wasn’t sure if Datsyuk will play Saturday when the Wings host Tampa Bay.

He’s missed the last five games with a lower-body injury.

Erik Cole also didn’t practice. He missed Tuesday’s game with an upper-body injury.

“I don’t know,” Babcock said when asked about Cole’s status. “It’s pretty obvious you come here every day and ask me about these guys. When they’re ready to play they tell me. When they’re not … What do I do?”

Wings coach Mike Babcock: “Give Pete an opportunity here because we need that area fixed.”

DETROIT >> Wings coach Mike Babcock gave Jimmy Howard one more chance to keep his No. 1 status between the pipes.

And now Babcock has taken it away.

After allowing three goals on 10 shots after one period in Thursday’s 6-4 loss to the San Jose Sharks at Joe Louis Arena, Babcock made the switch to Petr Mrazek the rest of the way.

Babcock then handed Mrazek the starting role for the time being after the game.

“When you’re behind like we are, you’re giving up too many goals,” Babcock said. “Let’s not worry about the turnovers at this point. Let’s fix how we’re playing without the puck, let’s get … Pete Mrzek’s got to get himself ready to go. Give Pete an opportunity here because we need that area fixed.

“It’s amazing when you get a little confidence in that area we can all settle down and get playing better,” Babcock continued. “We’ve scored tons of goals in the last couple of games but like I said it’s like chasing the game. You can’t play like that, you’ve got to play right. So we’re going to get regrouped and I guarantee we’ll be ready to play.”

Howard has allowed eight goals on 32 shots in slightly over four periods.

“I agree with you,” Babcock said when asked if Howard looked uncomfortable in the first period. “It’s one of those things. I haven’t talked to him, I’ll talk to him (Friday), but obviously it didn’t go the way he wanted.

“We gave him an opportunity to bounce back, he didn’t do that,” Babcock added. “We’ll give Pete Mrazek an opportunity here. As a group of coaches and a group of players we just got to bunker in here (Friday) and have a good conversation, have a good practice and get ready to play. Like I said we’ll be back ready to go.”

Howard, who turned 31 on Thursday, has been very inconsistent since returning in mid-February from a groin injury.

He was easily one of the reasons why the Wings are where they’re at now because of his strong play to start the season.

When Babcock was asked if he had a No. 1 goalie he responded with, “I’m starting Pete Mrazek next game.”

Mrazek also gave up a softy to Patrick Marleau, which proved to be the game winner.

“I didn’t like the second goal,” Babcock said. “Was that the fifth goal? When you’ve given up as many as we have it’s hard to remember. But the one, the chicken wing.

“(Logan) Couture’s shot’s a great shot, but that can’t happen to you,” Babcock continued. “But he’ll get the start next game and we need him to bunker down and play the way he’s capable of playing.”

The Wings, who lost 5-4 in overtime on Tuesday to Arizona, host Tampa Bay on Saturday.

“Same goes for everyone else,” Babcock said. “We had D that didn’t box out and weren’t ready to go at the start either. We’re all in this together. We took our lumps here today and last game. We’ve given up a lot of goals at home. That’s not how we want to play. That’s not Red Wing-like. We’ll come in here tomorrow and get it fixed.”

Detroit is 3-7-1 in its past 11 games.

Ins and outs … Kronwall cleared to return; Ouellet sent back to Grand Rapids

DETROIT — Niklas Kronwall (mild concussion) has been cleared and will play Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators.

Xavier Ouellet, who made his NHL debut in Monday’s 1-0 shootout loss to the San Jose Sharks, was sent back to Grand Rapids.

“I think it went good,” Ouellet said of his first game. “I was really excited that’s for sure, but I tried to keep it inside. I think I managed that pretty good.

“I just played my game,” Ouellet continued. “I felt as a player I was ready. I think I managed my game well and did good.”

Wings general manager Ken Holland said Patrick Eaves (sprained knee and ankle) will be ready to go Saturday against the New York Rangers.

The Wings don’t have to make any other roster move with Eaves coming back because Darren Helm (groin) will remain on long-term injured reserve.

Kronwall, Ericsson out against Sharks; Ouellet makes NHL debut; Tatar returns to lineup; Weiss centers third line

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings will be without their top blue line pairing tonight against the San Jose Sharks.

Niklas Kronwall remains sidelined with a mild concussion and Jonathan Ericsson will miss after his wife went in labor Sunday night.

“Well, I think it’s a great opportunity for our guys,” Wings coach Mike Babcock said. “We talk about that all of the time. When someone gets hurt, especially when you’re a young NHLer, there are opportunities for you. If you get stuck behind Cal Ripken for 20 years it’s not much fun, probably. So when you get your opportunity you’re allowed to establish yourself as a player and play every night.”

Xavier Ouellet was recalled from Grand Rapids and will make his NHL debut tonight.

“I’m a defenseman who the coaches can trust,” Ouellet said. “I’m an overall defenseman. I can be strong defensively, make the first right pass on tape, so that would be me.”

Ouellet will be paired with Brendan Smith on the blue line.

Kyle Quincey and Danny DeKeyser will make up the new top pairing, while Brian Lashoff will skate with Jakub Kindl.

Kronwall hopes to return Wednesday at home against the Ottawa Senators.

“I feel good,” Kronwall said. “I’m looking forward to hopefully playing on Wednesday. So far I’ve felt really good ever since day one, so hopefully I’ll be given the go-ahead. I’m sure there’s another test that I need to do before that but I feel good.

“You talk to several people who have said it could take several days before (symptoms) kick in, so far it’s been good, so knock on wood, I feel good,” Kronwall continued. “I look forward to tomorrow.”

The forward lines will also have a different look.

Justin Abdelkader was put back on the top line with Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk, while Stephen Weiss was dropped to the third line.

“Well, the first thing you have to do when you come to a new place is you have to breathe, and you have to give yourself a break, and you have to spend no time thinking and spend all your time playing,” Babcock said of Weiss. “That’s easy for me to say, but when you come in and get off to a good start and three bounce in off your leg and you get rolling you relax. And when you don’t you pressure up. So what I’ve done is I took him off the power play, put him on the penalty kill, and put him in the three hole and he can play against (Joe) Pavalski all night tonight. That will be a battle in itself. And just look after defense and once he settles down the rest will come.”

Weiss will center Daniel Cleary and Tomas Tatar, who will play in just his second game this season.

“Let’s be honest, if I were the other team and I watched us play, I say if I get a hold of 13 and 40 and 11 I can shut this thing down,” Babcock said of getting Tatar back in the lineup. “Depth in scoring hasn’t been there. We have to find a way to generate and have more offensive push than one line. You have to have it right through your group. We haven’t had it.”

Tatar knows he’s got to guard against trying to do too much.

“It’s going to be a little hard since I didn’t play for a little while but just try to make a play, play simple in the hard area, try to manage the puck and don’t do turnovers,” Tatar said. “I think the system should work for me as well. It’s going to take care of me and hopefully I will play good and try my best.”

Johan Franzen centers Todd Bertuzzi and Daniel Alfredsson on the second line, while Joakim Andersson will play between Drew Miller and Jordin Tootoo on the fourth line.

Wings suffer heartbreaking loss to Blackhawks in Game 7

CHICAGO – The team that scores first in a Game 7 nine times out of 10 usually comes out victorious.

Make that 16 out of the last 16.

Brent Seabrook scored just three minutes and 35 seconds into overtime as the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Detroit Red Wings in Game 7 of their Western Conference semifinal series, 2-1, Wednesday night at the United Center.

“Right now it feels a little surreal,” Jonathan Ericsson said. “We were confident coming into overtime, had a good feeling in the room. We said we were going to go for it and then it just ends like that, the whole season just ends like that. Like I said it feels kind of surreal, empty right now.”

It’s now 16 straight postseason Game 7s that the team that scored first has gone on to advance.

“I’m at a loss for words right now,” Carlo Colaiacovo said. “I’m more in shock more than anything. We battled really hard and I thought with how hard we competed in the third period we had the momentum going our way and heading into overtime we felt pretty good about our chances. Then all of a sudden, one shot and your whole season is over. It’s tough to swallow now, but I couldn’t be more proud of a bunch guys. We battled hard and earned everything we deserved. It’s just unfortunate it’s got to end this way.”

Chicago, which trailed 3-1 in the series, takes the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series 4-3.

Detroit last lost a series when leading it 3-1 in 1991, when it was ousted from the opening round by St. Louis.

The Blackhawks will host the Los Angeles Kings in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals on Saturday at 5 p.m. Los Angeles advanced after a 2-1 win over the San Jose Sharks in Game 7, Tuesday.

“Of course if feels really empty right now,” Henrik Zetterberg said. “I think we played a good game, we did a lot of good things, came back there forced overtime. You know, not surprised that they scored on kind of a fluke play there, it goes in when I think it hits Kronner’s skate and goes in.”

Patrick Sharp scored Chicago’s other goal early in the second period and Corey Crawford stopped 26 shots.

Zetterberg scored the Wings’ goal and Jimmy Howard made 33 saves.

It was Detroit’s fifth overtime game this playoffs, finishing 3-2.

Chicago improved to 2-1 in OT.

The series win was Chicago coach Joel Quenneville’s first against the Wings after losing the first five. It’s also his first win in three tries against Mike Babcock.

“It was a tight series, we played hard, it was a great Game 7,” Daniel Cleary said. “Guys should be proud of themselves. I thought we played a good game, had a good third period. It’s a good team we played. (I’m) proud and disappointed. We had three chances to close them out, just didn’t get it done.”

Just past the three-minute mark of overtime, Dave Bolland leveled Gustav Nyquist along the boards and Seabrook pounced on the loose puck and skated over the Wings’ blue line and wristed a shot over Howard’s glove to end things.

The shot deflected slightly off Niklas Kronwall.

“I think it went off me and went right in,” Kronwall said. “I didn’t get good enough gap control there, didn’t get up. He was able to walk down, I tried to block it and it went off me and in.

“Right now it’s just empty,” Kronwall added. “I thought we played a pretty good game, stuck with it and worked really hard. To go out like that is a tough way.”

The game remained tied despite what looked like an apparent goal from Niklas Hjalmarsson with 1:47 left in the third period.

However, referee Stephen Walkom had blown his whistle for an incident near the Wings’ bench that sent Kyle Quincey and Brandon Saad both off for roughing and put both teams down a man, just before Hjalmarsson’s shot beat Howard.

“I thought they should have had a penalty when they tripped Zetterberg and then I didn’t see the pile up, it was underneath my bench so I couldn’t really see what happened,” Wings coach Mike Babcock said. “Our guy showed us the replay and the ref blew the whistle.

“These games are highly contested and real hard to officiate,” Babcock continued. “If this was a regular season game there would have been a parade to the penalty box with what goes on out there. That’s why the playoffs are so much fun is because they’re hard.”

Cleary agreed with the call.

“Steve made a call that he thought was the right call,” Cleary said. “I don’t think he saw Hjalmarsson coming down the slot. I mean, listen, referees are human. They make mistakes. I don’t know why everybody keeps getting on them for it. They try to do the best they can. It’s a fast game. Anybody can look from up top or look on TV and say shoulda, coulda. But you’re not the ice. You don’t know how it is out there.”

Trailing 1-0 to start the third, Zetterberg got the equalizer for the Wings just 26 seconds into the third period after getting a pretty feed from Nyquist.

Nyquist waited for Johnny Oduya to commit and chipped a puck over the Blackhawks defenseman’s stick and right to Zetterberg, who had nothing but an open net to shoot at as Crawford didn’t make a move to get back in his crease.

The goal was fifth of the playoffs and third in six career Game 7s.

Nyquist normally wouldn’t have been on that line, but an injury to Valtteri Filppula on just his second shift of the game forced the Wings to juggle up their forward units.

Filppula got tied up with Andrew Shaw by the Wings’ bench. Filppula was helped off the ice and back to the locker room and never returned.

Shaw first crosschecked Zetterberg and then Cleary tried to grab him while on the bench. Shaw then crosschecked Filppula high and the forward tumbled awkwardly to the ice.

The replay looked as if Shaw slew-footed Filppula to bring him to the ice.

“You guys watched the video, you decide,” Babcock said.

It took Chicago all of a 1:08 to open the scoring taking advantage of a horrible line change by the Wings, which led to a 3-on-1 going the other way.

As Kronwall and Ericsson went for a change, Kyle Quincey did jump over the boards and tried to break up the rush, but some precision tape-to-tape passing from Sharp to Michal Handzus to Marian Hossa and back to Sharp, who beat Howard cleanly with a one-timer, led to the goal.

The goal was Sharp’s seventh of the playoffs.

Detroit is now 14-10 all-time in Game 7s.

Two years ago, Chicago suffered a defeat in a Game 7, which was also in overtime, after dropping the first three games in the series with the Vancouver Canucks. Crawford was also the goalie for the Blackhawks.

Wings will face Kings … if they get by Blackhawks

DETROIT — The NHL released the schedule for the Western Conference finals and if the Wings do advance to face the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings they’ll open the best-of-seven series Friday at 9 p.m. at the Staples Center.

Game 2 would be Sunday at 8 p.m.

Games 3 and 4 will be at Joe Louis Arena, Tuesday and Thursday. Both games will start at 8 p.m.

The Kings, who are 7-0 at home this postseason, reached the finals after beating the San Jose Sharks, 2-1, in Game 7 on Tuesday.

Los Angeles has won 14 in a row at home, which includes the regular season.

Here is the entire schedule if the Wings’ beat Chicago in Game 7 tonight.

Game 1: Friday at Los Angeles, 9 p.m. (NBCSN)

Game 2: Sunday at Los Angeles, 8 p.m. (NBCSN)

Game 3: Tuesday, June 4 at Detroit, 8 p.m. (NBCSN)

Game 4: June 6 at Detroit, 8 p.m. (NBCSN, CBC)

x-Game 5: June 8 at Los Angeles, 8 p.m. (NBC, CBC)

x-Game 6: Monday, June 10 at Detroit, 8 p.m. (NBCSN, CBC)

x-Game 7: Wednesday, June 12 at Los Angeles, TBD (NBCSN, CBC)

x-if necessary

Here’s the schedule if the Blackhawks beat Detroit.

Game 1: Saturday at Chicago, 5 p.m. (NBCSN)

Game 2: Sunday at Chicago, 8 p.m. (NBCSN)

Game 3: Tuesday at Los Angeles, 9 p.m. (NBCSN)

Game 4: Thursday, June 6 at Los Angeles, 9 p.m. (NBCSN, CBC)

x-Game 5: Saturday, June 8 at Chicago, 8 p.m. (NBC, CBC)

x-Game 6: Monday, June 10 at Los Angeles, 9 p.m. (NBCSN, CBC)

x-Game 7: Wednesday, June 12 at Chicago, TBD (NBCSN, CBC)

x-if necessary

Wings look to take advantage of home ice and close out Blackhawks

DETROIT – With the San Jose Sharks win Sunday night over the Los Angeles Kings, the home teams in this round of the playoffs are now 18-3.

That bodes well for the Wings’ chances to close things out tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks.

“I have no theories on it, other than it’s obviously better to play on home ice,” defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo said. “I know we really enjoy playing here. The crowd really gets behind us, and it gets us going. I really don’t have an answer behind that other than I know it’s tough to win in road buildings and when you get the opportunity to do so, it’s a gratifying feeling. But you can’t just think you’re going to walk out there and win the game. They’re going to try to come up with a win tonight, just like we are.”

Detroit holds a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series with the Blackhawks.

“The fans were behind us all year long, but it’s even more crazier in the playoffs,” defenseman Jakub Kindl said. “The previous games we played, the fans were unbelievable, they were behind us. I’m sure tonight’s going to be the same and we’re going to need them more.”

Home teams are 48-20 thus far in the postseason.

“I think we’re in a great position here, up 3-2 and on our home ice in front of our home fans,” forward Justin Abdelkader said. “We’re excited about the opportunity tonight.”

“I think our fans in the past have been real loud and supportive during the playoffs,” forward Drew Miller said. “Definitely they’ve had so many consecutive seasons with the playoffs, so many years you get built up ready for a playoff push and you get in and everyone has that excitement, you can feel that in the building. I don’t think it’s too much different than in years past. Maybe this year they believe in us a lot more, given that we got by Anaheim and got to get one more win here against Chicago.”

The only teams to lose on home ice this round were the Blackhawks, Ottawa and New York Rangers.

“(The fans have been) unbelievable these playoff,” defenseman Brendan Smith. “It’s been unbelievable to have them behind us. It’s something we get a lot of momentum from and we’re excited about that.

“Maybe it’s just people counted us out and we’re doing a little better than has been expected,” Smith continued. “It’s been a totally different atmosphere in the stands. It’s been very loud and they’ve been behind us the whole way.”

Chicago began the year 21-0-3 and won the Presidents’ Trophy, while Detroit needed to win its final four in the regular season just to qualify for the playoffs as the seventh seed.

“We’re still underdogs,” Abdelkader said. “We’re the seventh seed, they’re the one seed. Those guys had a magical run all during the regular season. They’ve been a favorite all year, all playoffs. We’re coming in here with a great opportunity up three games to two. We’re just looking forward to going out there and having fun.”

The Wings had a chance to close things out in Chicago on Saturday, but failed to do so, falling to the Blackhawks, 4-1.

“We’ve just got to play better,” Abdelkader said. “We just kind of came out flat. We didn’t have any jump. We looked tentative at the start. We’ve got to be a lot better. I think we’ll respond tonight. We’re back home and everyone’s excited about the opportunity.”

Chicago scored twice on the power play in Game 5 and also got a goal from the much-maligned Jonathan Toews, his first of the playoffs.

“It’s very simple, whoever thought we would be up 3-1 against the best team in the NHL? Sometimes you’re going to have a bad game, sometimes you have to work way harder,” Kindl said. “So obviously it’s a long run and you’re not going to win every game easier. You lose some games, you win some games. Obviously the Game 5 they were a way better team. They played harder than us, but the bottom line is that we have to play like we did Game2, Game 3, Game 4. That’s what we will try to focus on tonight.”

During the Wings’ three-game winning streak in this series, they scored the Blackhawks 9-2.

“We’re going to try to play loose, but still try to set the tone,” Kindl said. “We’ll pay way harder than we did the last game in their building. Obviously, we don’t want to go back there, but we’ll play hard, harder than we did before.”

If there is a Game 7 back at the United Center it will take place Wednesday at 8 p.m.

“We don’t want to go back there, so take care of business tonight,” Abdelkader said.

Babcock on Smith: “I just wanted the puck looked after better.”

DETROIT – Red Wings’ defenseman Brendan Smith said he didn’t see it coming.

With 11 games left in the regular season, Smith found himself a healthy scratch along the blue line. He was back watching from the sideline a game later.

“I think I’ve been playing pretty well, so it gets a little frustrating when you’re not in the lineup,” Smith said after practice Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena. “We’re all competitive players, competitive people, so we want to be in the lineup, but for sure I want to be there, and I thought I’ve been playing pretty well. There are things that I have to work on, obviously. There are things that everybody’s got to work on, but for myself as a young player, there’s a lot more, so there are things that I have to do it if I’m in the lineup (Thursday) and make sure I stay there, but it definitely caught me off guard.”

Smith will return to the lineup Thursday in the Wings’ home game against the San Jose Sharks.

Prior to his benching, Smith was a minus-5 over his last five games, going a minus-1 in each of those contests.

“I just wanted the puck looked after better,” Wings coach Mike Babcock said. “He’s a better player than that. He’s had a few days to watch and think about it. I think Smitty is an ultra-competitive guy, who has a huge upside, but he’s just got to take care of the puck better.”

In 26 games this season, Smith has five assists and is a minus-1.

“I think things have to get better, just making my game a little more simple and I guess playing the Nicklas Lidstrom way – see the first pass, make it – so just working hard and try to keep positive and get myself in the lineup again,” Smith said.

Smith said he thinks this was the first time he was a healthy scratch in his playing days.

After overcoming a rash of injuries, the Wings’ blue line is suddenly crowded with nine healthy defensemen.

“It’s really competitive and we have great D, so there wasn’t much of an explanation, but, so you’ve just got to back away from the game and kind of see what you have to do to get better and then do that in the practice and then once you get the chance keep yourself in the lineup,” Smith said. “So if they throw me into the lineup against San Jose I’m just going to play my best and play hard and try to do what I can do to so I can stay in the lineup.”

Smith, who’s averaging just under 19 minutes of ice time per game this season, will replace Ian White in the lineup.

Ericsson hopes fans don’t boo Stuart

DETROIT — Detroit Red Wing fans have a way of treating players that have left for other teams when they return to Joe Louis Arena, they boo every time they touch the puck of their name is announced.

Defenseman Jonathan Ericsson hopes fans don’t greet former blue liner Brad Stuart with a chorus of boos in his first game back in Detroit on Thursday as a member of the San Jose Sharks.

“I don’t think he’s going to get booed or anything like that,” Ericsson said after practice Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena. “He did such a tremendous job for us. He was such a key player. We know he liked it here, but for the sake of him and his family he really couldn’t stay and I understand that.”

The Wings traded Stuart back to a team on the West Coast so he could join his family, who he was living apart from his entire time in Detroit.

“I hope the fans know that he really liked it here, but he really didn’t have a choice because he didn’t want to be away from his family and kids,” Ericsson said. “I really hope they don’t boo him.”

Smith returns to lineup for White; Wings look to improve on home record

DETROIT — Quick update from Wings practice Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena.

Defenseman Brendan Smith will be back in the lineup Thursday against the San Jose Sharks, after being a healthy scratch the last two games.

“I just wanted the puck looked after better,” Wings coach Mike Babcock said. “He’s a better player than that. He’s had a few days to watch and think about it. I think Smitty is an ultra-competitive guy, who has a huge upside, but he’s just got to take care of the puck better. In other words after he has it who has it.”

In 26 games this season, Smith has five assists and is a minus-1.

“I thought I had been playing well,” Smith said. “I think there are things that I need to work on, but next to that if I keep working hard I’ll get back in the lineup.

“You just keep working hard to get yourself back in the lineup,” Smith continued. “You come in everyday and just do what you can do best to your ability to try and get back into the lineup.”

Smith said he thinks this was the first time throughout his playing career that he’s been a healthy scratch.

“There are a lot of good players so there’s as good a chance for anyone to get into the lineup,” Smith said. “Anytime you’re not playing it’s frustrating for sure.

“The competition is great,” Smith added. “That’s why this does happen and the whole reason why anyone can make it into the lineup. You just have to work hard and try every day to get back in the lineup.

The Wings are just 1-3-1 in their last five games at home.

“We’ve survived by winning on the road and not at home,” Babcock said. “We have to be better at home. We were good early at home and not on the road and now it’s vice versa so if I had the answer we’d fix it, but in saying that maybe we’re try and be too cute at home and more simplified on the road. We need to play a simple game and our guys understand that too. I thought we did that (Sunday).”

The Wings currently hold down the eighth playoff seed in the Western Conference, two points ahead of Dallas and Columbus.

“It seems like the teams that are below us are hounding us and the teams that are above us are trying to win every game that they can,” defenseman Jonathan Ercisson said. “It feels like if you win one game the other guys are winning too. It’s like there is no room for error here. We have to be really good here over the last part of the season.

“We’ve been way too inconsistent at home,” Ericsson added. “I don’t know what the reason is. We need to find a way here in order to make the playoffs.”