Kronner Returns With 10 Games Until the Olympics Break

By Adam W Parks

Remember this? Martin Havlat doesn't.



It has been since November 21 that we have had an opportunity to see an opponent of the Red Wings get Kronwalled. Do not expect to see too many organ-pulverizing hits tonight, but do expect to see #55 back on the ice against Phoenix.

Niklas Kronwall missed over two months due to a sprained MCL and a prolonged rehab period due to unexplainable complications. The Wings have sorely missed his punishing physical play and his underrated offensive skills.

“We need a boost right now,” Mike Babcock said. “(Kronwall) gives you a dynamic guy on the back end, whether that be physical, defending, on the rush offensively, on the power play, on the penalty-kill.”

“Words can’t describe how important he is to our team," Dan Cleary said. "He does everything great.”

“It’s been a long time, and I can’t wait to get back out there,” Kronwall said.

Neither can we Kronner, neither can we!

Just In Time

Kronwall will make his triumphant return to the ice at home against a Coyotes team that sits like a speed bump on the Wings' path up the playoff ladder. The time is now for Detroit to make a serious push and some real headway heading towards the Winter Olympics break in mid-February.

Of the ten games remaining on the Wings' schedule before the break, just three matchups are against teams currently on the outside of the playoff picture: Minnesota, Anaheim, and St. Louis. All three are from the Western Conference. All three are also jostling with Detroit for a spot in the top eight.

Six of these last ten games are on the road. There is another tour of the California Coast with games against the Sharks, Ducks, and Kings. There is also the first of two bouts with the Penguins; a rematche of the last two Stanley Cup Championships. Ideally, Detroit would win all ten. Hopefully, they can earn 16 of a possible 20 points. Realistically, the Wings should get six wins.

"There's going to be lots of big games in the West between now and the end of the year," Babcock said. "These battles are going to go back and forth. You're hopeful your ups are going to be longer than your downs. It's pretty apparent San Jose and Chicago have separated themselves from the group, but the rest of us are in a battle."

As I look at the schedule, I see victories tonight against Phoenix, Wednesday in Minnesota, and Friday at home against Nashville. That would be three in a row. An emotional loss in a hostile Pittsburgh environment (sorry James, I know you'll be there), followed by a close defeat to the Sharks in San Jose. I think they then drop another to the Ducks in Anaheim for a third straight loss, but then back-to-back road victories over the Kings and the Blues will give them five wins in eight before returning to the Joe. A home win over San Jose and then a thrashing of Ottawa in Detroit will give them four straight and...seven wins.

At least one of those wins will probably end up being an overtime/shootout loss, thus my realistic prediction of six wins and a 6-3-1 record, earning 13 out of a possible 20 points. Losing to Pittsburgh will hurt nothing but pride. Dropping one or two to San Jose won't matter too much as they are secure at the top of the conference. Another loss to St. Louis would be annoying but probably not detrimental. The must wins are Phoenix, Nashville, Los Angeles, and maybe Anaheim; those teams are Detroit's peers right now.

"Every year, as a coach, you think every game you're playing is the most important," Babcock said. "I dont think that's any different this year. In saying that, there's no question it's different when you're locked in (a playoff position). But it's like every year, we're just trying to be a work in progress, trying to get better every day."

So often, when a coach speaks, it sounds like political, fallacious optimism. But I don't think Babcock screws around much with his words.

Peace.