http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/teams/detroit_red_wings/109 Recent articles about Detroit Red Wings en-us Ugh. Not what I wanted to wake up to: @dchesnokov @georgemalik WTF? sovsport.ru/news/text-item… — Miklos Palvolgyi dr. (@palvolgyi) May 24, 2013 Sovetsky Sport's Artury Enikeew suggested that Pavel Datsyuk has signed a tentative agreement to play for Ak Bars Kazan for 3 seasons beginning in 2014, and that the contract will be announced after the NHL season ends... But Yahoo Sports' Dmitry Chesnokov reports that that's inaccurate: Continue reading "Sovetsky Sport reports that Pavel Datsyuk’s made up his mind regarding future with Red Wings" Fri, 24 May 2013 11:52:28 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/sovetsky_sport_reports_that_pavel_datsyuks_made_up_his_mind_regarding_future_with_red_wings/13686911 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/sovetsky_sport_reports_that_pavel_datsyuks_made_up_his_mind_regarding_future_with_red_wings/13686911 Sovetsky Sport reports that Pavel Datsyuk’s made up his mind regarding future with Red Wings http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/sovetsky_sport_reports_that_pavel_datsyuks_made_up_his_mind_regarding_future_with_red_wings/13686911 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/1/918206c7399853f052e4467ca6cfae9a21b06d79/mini/Detroit_Red_Wings_7613.jpg YouTube Save for Game 1, the Red Wings have mostly had their way with the Blackhawks through the first four games of this Western Conference semifinals series.  In Game 4, Wings defenseman Jonathan Ericsson wanted to drive that point home to Blackhawks forward Bryan Bickell. Midway through the second period, Bickell tried to chase down a puck in the corner, but ran into an eager Ericsson who turned into a bartender.  Ericsson served up a can that put Bickell on his backside – something Niklas Kronwall was proud of.  But, the best part of the video wasn’t the hit itself, but rather Bickell’s attempt to skate away from it. He looked like a drunk fool leaving the bar at 2AM.   Hopefully somebody drove him home. Fri, 24 May 2013 09:45:29 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/jonathan_ericssons_big_hit_on_bryan_bickell_made_bickell_drunk_video/13685882 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/jonathan_ericssons_big_hit_on_bryan_bickell_made_bickell_drunk_video/13685882 Jonathan Ericsson’s big hit on Bryan Bickell made Bickell drunk (VIDEO) http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/jonathan_ericssons_big_hit_on_bryan_bickell_made_bickell_drunk_video/13685882 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/f/bfaf55edbfb1dde2b1d1964d8d805b230bb9cd15/mini/Blackhawks_vs_Sharks_1c2b.jpg There's no doubt in my mind that the Red Wings' "x-factor" through their playoff run has been the performance of their third line, and while the Gustav Nyquist-Joakim Andersson-Damien Brunner line didn't factor in the scoring in the Red Wings' 2-0 win over Chicago last night, Nyquist deked and dazzled his way past and through Blackhawks defenders, registering 2 shots and 2 takeaways in only 10:26 of ice time, Brunner took 2 shots, attempted 3 more and probably (frustratingly) passed up half a dozen more, and Andersson had 1 takeaway, had 2:23 of PK time and went 5-and-1 in the faceoff circle... Continue reading "Red Wings forward Joakim Andersson’s playing understatedly superb 2-way hockey" Fri, 24 May 2013 07:30:47 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/red_wings_forward_joakim_anderssons_playing_understatedly_superb_2_way_hockey/13685078 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/red_wings_forward_joakim_anderssons_playing_understatedly_superb_2_way_hockey/13685078 Red Wings forward Joakim Andersson’s playing understatedly superb 2-way hockey http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/red_wings_forward_joakim_anderssons_playing_understatedly_superb_2_way_hockey/13685078 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png DETROIT -- He's won a Stanley Cup, the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs MVP and even an Olympic Gold medal. But Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews has just one assist in four games of the Western Conference semifinals. And after Thursday's 2-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings in Game 4 , his team is one game away from elimination and his frustration is boiling over. That's because Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg -- who's also won a Stanley Cup, a Conn Smythe and an Olympic gold medal -- has taken residence in Toews' head. Zetterberg is preventing Toews from doing all of the things he's accustomed to doing on the ice. "Hes really good at that," Wings defenseman Jonathan Ericsson said of Zetterberg. "We saw that early and in previous years, too, when he played against (Pittsburgh captain Sidney) Crosby. "So we know that hes a pain in the ass for the other team and thats the way we like him." Ah, yes, Crosby, who had 15 goals and 31 assists in the Fri, 24 May 2013 01:03:57 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/zetterberg_getting_best_of_toews/13684193 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/zetterberg_getting_best_of_toews/13684193 Zetterberg getting best of Toews http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/zetterberg_getting_best_of_toews/13684193 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/e/8eae2715a5a4ac6b05aea830f576067061abcae3/mini/IL_Los_Angeles_7e86.jpg The Blackhawks have been pushed to their breaking point emotionally by the Red Wings. Now, they’re at the brink of elimination. This year, the Blackhawks hadn’t: been shut out. Not any more. lost three games in a row. Not any … Continue reading →The post Jimmy Howard, Red Wings Beat Blackhawks (Again) appeared first on Committed Indians. Fri, 24 May 2013 00:19:55 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/jimmy_howard_red_wings_beat_blackhawks_again/13683935 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/jimmy_howard_red_wings_beat_blackhawks_again/13683935 Jimmy Howard, Red Wings Beat Blackhawks (Again) http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/jimmy_howard_red_wings_beat_blackhawks_again/13683935 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/9/d94fe94931672d7e084295cc3eb06b2795bed81e/mini/Detroit_Red_Wings_237a.jpg During the second period of the Detroit Red Wings game four win over the Chicago Blackhawks, Wings defenseman Jonathan Ericsson absolutely obliterated Blackhawks forward Bryan Bickell.  The two were racing for a loose puck in the corner when Ericsson caught Bickell off-guard.  Bickell yardsaled a bit, losing his left glove, and then had a lot of trouble getting back to his feet.  This was a seismic collision between two massive players; Ericsson is 6’4″ 221 lbs, and Bickell is 6’4″ 233 lbs. [Video via: YouTube] [GIF via: @Guyism] Thu, 23 May 2013 23:15:32 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/jonathan_ericsson_crushes_bryan_bickell_bickell_struggles_to_his_feet/13683620 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/jonathan_ericsson_crushes_bryan_bickell_bickell_struggles_to_his_feet/13683620 Jonathan Ericsson crushes Bryan Bickell, Bickell struggles to his feet http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/jonathan_ericsson_crushes_bryan_bickell_bickell_struggles_to_his_feet/13683620 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/8/381e16ec332032ae2f2c00c7ae6ba9a1ee8bf14d/mini/Bruins_vs_Blackhawks_4360.jpg First and foremost I’d like to say thank you to The Majors Detroit Facebook page follow Boris Pan for passing this one along to us. Second I would also like to say that this story has become a pretty big one as it made it’s rounds on local media as the Wings now have a 2-1 series lead heading into Game 4 tonight. Now the story in question here is a piece (of something) written by Dan McNeil of the Chicago Tribune entitled Blackhawks-Red Wings rivalry fades: Red Wings don’t belong in the same rink as the Hawks. Ok, if that’s what Chicago fans want to think fine… but at least back it up if you can which McNeil does a pathetic attempt in doing. Here we  go with his second gem of the article: The hammer and the nail have no rivalry. The nail may not like the hammer, but it’s disdain for it does not constitute a rivalry because the hammer barely acknowledges the nail’s existence. The first thing I’d like to point out from that sentence is if you’re writing about it like this there’s a g... Thu, 23 May 2013 14:42:37 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/bulletin_board_material_red_wings_dont_belong_in_the_same_rink_as_the_hawks/13680599 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/bulletin_board_material_red_wings_dont_belong_in_the_same_rink_as_the_hawks/13680599 Bulletin board material: “Red Wings don’t belong in the same rink as the Hawks” http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/bulletin_board_material_red_wings_dont_belong_in_the_same_rink_as_the_hawks/13680599 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Over the course of the both the Red Wings-Ducks and Red Wings-Blackhawks series, Ken Holland and Mike Babcock's roles on Detroit's "rebuilding on the fly" season (which, as the Oakland Press's Pat Caputo noted this afternoon, does not involve tanking to be bad enough for long enough to stockpile high draft picks like the Blackhawks did), and with the Grand Rapids Griffins advancing to the AHL's Western Conference Finals, Martin Frk dazzling at the Memorial Cup and the team adding to its stockpile of drafted prospects by bringing over Calle Jarnkrok (temporarily), Teemu Pulkkinen (permanently) and signing Nick Jensen and Mattias Backman recently (and adding free agents like Damien Brunner and the rapidly-headling Danny DeKeyser hasn't hurt, either)... The Wings' NHL and AHL rosters don't necessarily lack talent or depth, though they're certainly not the Blackhawks. Now the story about Mike Babcock heading to Anaheim instead of succeeding ... Wed, 22 May 2013 23:10:24 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/holland_babcock_and_the_red_wings_players_discuss_rebuilding_on_the_fly/13675796 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/holland_babcock_and_the_red_wings_players_discuss_rebuilding_on_the_fly/13675796 Holland, Babcock and the Red Wings’ players discuss ‘rebuilding on the fly’ http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/holland_babcock_and_the_red_wings_players_discuss_rebuilding_on_the_fly/13675796 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/2/d2444da0c8fd7b28b077147f854727a4777f12c1/mini/Detroit_Red_Wings_95f1.jpg The Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association named Patrick Eaves their nominee for the Masterton Trophy, which recognizes perseverance and dedication to hockey, because Eaves successfully recovered from a concussion that consumed 13 months of his professional career. I don't think that anyone, including the Red Wings, imagined that Eaves would have become so invaluable to the team's penalty-killing or provide such no-frills defensive play that he'd be bumping Todd Bertuzzi and Jordin Tootoo out of the team's playoff lineup, but he's doing just that, and WXYZ's Tom Leyden penned a story about and filed a video profile of Eaves earlier this evening: Continue reading "Red Wings evening multimedia: spotlighting Patrick Eaves and previewing Game 4" Wed, 22 May 2013 22:29:38 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/red_wings_evening_multimedia_spotlighting_patrick_eaves_and_previewing_game_4/13675637 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/red_wings_evening_multimedia_spotlighting_patrick_eaves_and_previewing_game_4/13675637 Red Wings evening multimedia: spotlighting Patrick Eaves and previewing Game 4 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/red_wings_evening_multimedia_spotlighting_patrick_eaves_and_previewing_game_4/13675637 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/2/c2bbc04210d464fde09314169f3970c2379c5bb9/mini/Detroit_Red_Wings_bfd4.jpg Check out yet another crazy TSN top ten via HockeyWebCaster this time featuring everyone's favourite dangler: Pavel Datsyuk. The countdown will convince you that "Datsyukian" really does belong in the dictionary. "When your moves are so amazing beyond reason, the only way to describe them is datsyukian." - Urban Dictionary. Related:Video: Top Ten NHL DanglesGIF: Pavel Datsyuk dangles Logan CoutureMore Great Content                                                                                   Wed, 22 May 2013 17:50:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/video_tsn_top_10_pavel_datsyuk_goals/13674511 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/video_tsn_top_10_pavel_datsyuk_goals/13674511 Video: TSN Top 10 Pavel Datsyuk Goals http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/video_tsn_top_10_pavel_datsyuk_goals/13674511 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png In addition to today's pair of Red Wings-Blackhawks practice posts: I know that the story that got Red Wings fans down involved the Detroit News's Ted Kulfan's report that Darren Helm has suffered yet another setback in his attempt to recover from a partially torn ligament and slightly herniated disc in his back... "The team is doing so great, it's the playoffs, and I want to be out there," said Helm, who was skating lightly during the Anaheim series before another setback occurred. "It's extremely tough to watch." The plan now is for Helm to stay off the ice indefinitely. "Something happened (skating during the Anaheim series) and it hurt a lot and I was limping around for a couple of days," Helm said. "We decided to take a step back and we needed a different approach — staying off the ice a lot longer. Continue reading "Bad news/good news: Red Wings’ Darren Helm’s definitely done, but Danny DeKeyser may ye... Wed, 22 May 2013 16:53:47 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/bad_newsgood_news_red_wings_darren_helms_definitely_done_but_danny_dekeyser_may_yet_return/13673749 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/bad_newsgood_news_red_wings_darren_helms_definitely_done_but_danny_dekeyser_may_yet_return/13673749 Bad news/good news: Red Wings’ Darren Helm’s definitely done, but Danny DeKeyser may yet return http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/bad_newsgood_news_red_wings_darren_helms_definitely_done_but_danny_dekeyser_may_yet_return/13673749 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/f/5f0921220ec0ab08ecf713e9158066fc0735dfc8/mini/Boston_Bruins_v_51e2.jpg Red Wings coach Mike Babcock spoke to The Fan 590's Hockeycentral at Noon crew prior to speaking to the media after today's Red Wings practice, and while Babcock repeated some of his talking points to the Wings' press corps, he didn't go into as much detail regarding the team's prospects and evolution of the team's rookies at his presser as he did during his 11:40 interview with The Fan (beware: an auto-play clip follows the jump): Continue reading "Red Wings coach Mike Babcock discusses Wings’ evolution on the Fan 590" Wed, 22 May 2013 13:33:22 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/red_wings_coach_mike_babcock_discusses_wings_evolution_on_the_fan_590/13672060 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/red_wings_coach_mike_babcock_discusses_wings_evolution_on_the_fan_590/13672060 Red Wings coach Mike Babcock discusses Wings’ evolution on the Fan 590 http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/red_wings_coach_mike_babcock_discusses_wings_evolution_on_the_fan_590/13672060 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/0/b/0ba964b1396e8b7d8180f116b9b40773bfed80cd/mini/Stanley_Cup_Finals_f0e6.jpg After what might be their fnal real "off-day" for some time, the Red Wings got back to work today at Joe Louis Arena (the Blackhawks remained in Chicago for their practice), and something tells me that this is going to be the first of two practice posts, because Wings coach Mike Babcock engaged in a long q and a session with a faithfully-twitter-updating media corps: All the #RedWings are on the ice except or Helm and Samuelsson. — Chuck Pleiness (@wingsfrontman) May 22, 2013 Wings on ice for practice. No changes to lines: 93-13-8, 51-40-11, 14-63-24, 20-25-17; 22, 44 working in; 37, 43 not skating. — Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) May 22, 2013 Practice was relatively uneventful, but there's some intriguing news about Wings defenseman Danny DeKeyser's recovery from a broken and surgically-repaired right thumb below: Continue reading "Red Wings-Blackhawks practice day updates: Wings stay the Babcockian course; good news for DeKeyser?... Wed, 22 May 2013 12:51:53 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/red_wings_blackhawks_practice_day_updates_wings_stay_the_babcockian_course_good_news_for_dekeyser/13671754 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/red_wings_blackhawks_practice_day_updates_wings_stay_the_babcockian_course_good_news_for_dekeyser/13671754 Red Wings-Blackhawks practice day updates: Wings stay the Babcockian course; good news for DeKeyser? http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/red_wings_blackhawks_practice_day_updates_wings_stay_the_babcockian_course_good_news_for_dekeyser/13671754 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/2/6/26a26546c0dbb8c2a7271cf81dec3da4165f2eaf/mini/Detroit_Red_Wings_0c97.jpg DETROIT -- It seems like just yesterday when Jonathan Ericsson was the young defenseman arriving on the scene and making an impact for the Detroit Red Wings. In the Wings' 2009 playoff run, Ericsson stunned everyone with his four goals and four assists in the 22 games, and by playing three days after an emergency appendectomy. He had played just 19 regular-season games. Now 29, Ericsson is part of the Wings' top defensive pairing, along with fellow Swede Niklas Kronwall. When Nick Lidstrom retired and Brad Stuart left to return to San Jose, it meant a bigger role for Ericsson. "They always had a good D corps here, so it just took a while to get in," Ericsson said. "Thats how they develop all the players here, and I think theyve done a good job. "When you get up here, most players are ready to stay up and not be up and down. You have to be patient. Everything doesnt come all at once. You just have to work your way in." Jakub Kindl, who has also stepped up on defense this Tue, 21 May 2013 17:50:12 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/ericsson_helps_fill_big_holes_on_wings_defense/13666048 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/ericsson_helps_fill_big_holes_on_wings_defense/13666048 Ericsson helps fill big holes on Wings' defense http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/ericsson_helps_fill_big_holes_on_wings_defense/13666048 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/5/75d8a6825caa5c3e6432c18450ed4fbb71aecf29/mini/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f88298038.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF1937776ED92A93314C8BA9ECC4871803461.jpg The Red Wings aren't practicing today and I'm not sure whether the Blackhawks are skating thanks to the two-day break between games and the simple truths that a) practice for practice's sake doesn't necessarily register with players (less is more) and b) everyone is banged-up to some extent at this time of year, so "rest is a weapon," as Mike Babcock would say. But there's a preponderance of Wings and Hawks-related news that either didn't quite make the recap or overnight report cut or plain old popped up during my four-and-a-half hours' worth of sleep. I will leave Sportsline's Brian Stubits, Yahoo Sports' Harrison Mooney and the Score's Justin Bourne's astonishment at a goofy comment by Glenn Healy to you  (according to Mr. Healy, Pavel Datsyuk doesn't have all that much hockey god-given talent; Bourne, Grantland and Deadspin of all places offered analyses of last night's game as well)...Well, okay, here's Healy. ... Tue, 21 May 2013 13:18:53 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/red_wings_blackhawks_post_game_3_tailings_and_off_day_news_on_pavel_datsyuk_and_the_vampire_squid/13663627 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/red_wings_blackhawks_post_game_3_tailings_and_off_day_news_on_pavel_datsyuk_and_the_vampire_squid/13663627 Red Wings-Blackhawks post-Game 3 tailings and off-day news: on Pavel Datsyuk and the vampire squid http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/red_wings_blackhawks_post_game_3_tailings_and_off_day_news_on_pavel_datsyuk_and_the_vampire_squid/13663627 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/6/7652af01b2c2576597c89fcd2fcbe93d91c16b54/mini/steviey.jpg It’s common for hockey players to use a soccer ball off the ice to warm up before games.  It’s a good way to get your legs going and have some fun with your teammates and work on communicating.  Unfortunately for Gustav Nyquist, his teammate Damien Brunner never told him he was going to be throwing the ball directly at his junk.  The routine must have worked though because the Detroit Red Wings went on to beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-1 and took a 2-1 series lead. Brunner took to Twitter after the game to apologize, but didn’t seem to feel too sorry about it, the blank squares are iPhone emojis of a face laughing until it cries. sorry @gnyquist [@WorldOfIsaac] Mon, 20 May 2013 23:43:22 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/damien_brunner_pelts_gustav_nyquist_in_the_nuts_during_warmups/13660231 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/damien_brunner_pelts_gustav_nyquist_in_the_nuts_during_warmups/13660231 Damien Brunner pelts Gustav Nyquist in the nuts during warmups http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/damien_brunner_pelts_gustav_nyquist_in_the_nuts_during_warmups/13660231 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/5/75c83d669cdfced3dbe86b8567bd5c790ff3814f/mini/6151814.jpg Aside from Gustav Nyquist’s highlight reel goal Monday night, he was the recipient of an unfortunate shot prior to Game 3. During pre-game warmups in the locker room the Red Wings regularly like to dribble around a soccer ball. Here we see Nyquist doing just that along with what looks to be fellow teammate Damien Brunner… Only instead of dribbling the ball back Nyquist Brunner catches the ball and fires it into Gustav’s lower-body region. Perhaps this helped Nyquist later on in the game and perhaps they play soccer differently in Switzerland… UPDATE: We can now confirm it was Damien Brunner who almost destroyed Gustav Nyquist’s chances at ever having children… sorry @gnyquist Mon, 20 May 2013 22:56:08 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/gif_nyquist_takes_a_soccer_ball_to_the_junk_during_pre_game_warmups/13660093 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/gif_nyquist_takes_a_soccer_ball_to_the_junk_during_pre_game_warmups/13660093 GIF: Nyquist takes a soccer ball to the junk during pre-game warmups http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/gif_nyquist_takes_a_soccer_ball_to_the_junk_during_pre_game_warmups/13660093 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/5/75c83d669cdfced3dbe86b8567bd5c790ff3814f/mini/6151814.jpg In a pivotal game 3, I will tell you why the Red Wings will take a 2-1 series lead against their rivals the Chicago Blackhawks. Payback is a “female dog” as fans from Detroit would like to say. What I am referring to is the 4-1 beat down the Red Wings put on the Chicago Blackhawks in game 2 of this conference semifinals series. This came after the Blackhawks gave Detroit a 4-1 beat down in game one. The biggest difference between the first two games had to be the shots on goal. The Blackhawks shot twice as many shots on goal than the Red Wings did in game one, but in game 2 the Red Wings returned the favor and won the shots on target battle 30-20 in game 2. After Blackhawks star Patrick Kane scored the first goal of the game with 6 minutes left in the first period, Red wings fans had to be thinking deja-vu. But after Red Wings rookie Damien Brunner tied it up early in the 2nd period, Detroit never looked back since. Another Red Wings rookie Brendan Smith scored the winning goal late... Mon, 20 May 2013 11:57:27 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/nhl_playoffs_wings_vs_blackhawks_game_3_preview/13655173 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/nhl_playoffs_wings_vs_blackhawks_game_3_preview/13655173 NHL Playoffs: Wings vs Blackhawks Game 3 Preview http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/nhl_playoffs_wings_vs_blackhawks_game_3_preview/13655173 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png DETROIT -- You might not be able to tell by the expression on his face when he's on the bench, but Red Wings coach Mike Babcock is actually enjoying himself immensely. Babcock has coached better teams. The 2008 Stanley Cup champions and the Canadian Olympic team that won gold in 2010 come to mind first. Still, there's something about his 2013 Red Wings team. "It's the most fun I've had coaching in a couple years, by far, just because we have a real enthusiastic group," Babcock said Sunday after an optional practice. "At the start of the year, we weren't a good team. We all understood that, but we buckled down and we got better. "It's been a fun year for us. If you would have asked me before the playoffs, I would've told you the same thing ... Then suddenly you have a little success in the playoffs and it's more fun." Babcock is also having fun helping some of the young players learn how to play at this level. "That (Joakim) Andersson line ha Sun, 19 May 2013 18:51:46 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/babcock_enjoying_red_wings_playoff_ride/13651198 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/babcock_enjoying_red_wings_playoff_ride/13651198 Babcock enjoying Red Wings' playoff ride http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/babcock_enjoying_red_wings_playoff_ride/13651198 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/2/d2444da0c8fd7b28b077147f854727a4777f12c1/mini/Detroit_Red_Wings_95f1.jpg DETROIT -- You might not be able to tell by the expression on his face when he's on the bench, but Red Wings coach Mike Babcock is actually enjoying himself immensely. Babcock has coached better teams. The 2008 Stanley Cup champions and the Canadian Olympic team that won gold in 2010 come to mind first. Still, there's something about his 2013 Red Wings team. "It's the most fun I've had coaching in a couple years, by far, just because we have a real enthusiastic group," Babcock said Sunday after an optional practice. "At the start of the year, we weren't a good team. We all understood that, but we buckled down and we got better. "It's been a fun year for us. If you would have asked me before the playoffs, I would've told you the same thing ... Then suddenly you have a little success in the playoffs and it's more fun." Babcock is also having fun helping some of the young players learn how to play at this level. "That (Joakim) Andersson line ha Sun, 19 May 2013 18:51:46 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/babcock_enjoying_red_wings_playoff_ride/13651168 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/babcock_enjoying_red_wings_playoff_ride/13651168 Babcock enjoying Red Wings' playoff ride http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/babcock_enjoying_red_wings_playoff_ride/13651168 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/d/7da2d51bb8948c19088b0488fe8f7ac4534e76e1/mini/Stanley_Cup_Finals_0111.jpg