Notes: Detroit's forecheck key to slowing down Montreal

DETROIT -- In their last 10 games against Montreal, the Red Wings are 2-6-2. They've beaten the Canadiens once in regulation in that span, a 1-0 shutout victory on Jan. 16, 2017 at Joe Louis Arena.
Detroit's aware it's been tough sledding versus Montreal lately, but it hopes to capitalize on a tired Canadiens team that played Monday, losing at home to the Minnesota Wild, 1-0.

"They have a team that's built with speed and quickness, getting in on the forecheck," Justin Abdelkader said after Tuesday's morning skate. "They're really tenacious around the net, especially (Brendan) Gallagher, so we've got to make sure we've got to get sticks in all those lanes to the puck.
"They're just a team that works really hard, so we got to go out and make sure our work ethic is the best it can be; especially with those guys playing last night, we've got to jump on them early."
All season the Wings have stressed starting on time, establishing their speed game by employing an aggressive forecheck and getting pucks deep into the attacking zone.
Against Montreal, it's essential Detroit has its legs from the start.
"I think like any night, you have to get out of your end. But probably specifically to Montreal -- and maybe this is specific to a couple of guys -- but as a team, they get to the net really, really well," Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. "Gallagher's one of the best. They're hard at your net for sure, so we're going to have to do a real good job of hopefully not spending much time in our end, but when we do, making sure that we defend that net real well.
"This is probably not exclusive to Montreal, but we have to get pucks behind them, we have to create forecheck pressure. I thought we did a pretty darn good job of that against Washington that allowed us to have some good O-zone play. We're going to have to do that. Historically we haven't created tons against them in the last two years, so we gotta do a better job of creating opportunities. I think that starts with pucks behind, getting in on the forecheck and then spending time in the O-zone."
Max Domi (14-24-38), Jonathan Drouin (13-20-33), Gallagher (15-9-24) and former Wing Tomas Tatar (14-17-31) lead a deep forward corps, with former Michigan State Spartan Jeff Petry (8-21-29) providing some offensive spark from the back end.
Tatar has found new life in Montreal after hitting a rough patch in Vegas when the Wings traded him to the Golden Knights last season at the trade deadline.
His 14 goals are tied for second most on the team and his 31 points are third on the Canadiens.
Blashill has a long history coaching Tatar. The pair won the 2013 Calder Cup together with the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins. Tatar was the playoff's MVP and an appreciative Blashill is glad that Tatar is finding success in Montreal.
"I'm real happy that Tats has had a real good year. It didn't go his way in Vegas. It's just one of those things," Blashill said. "Sometimes you get on a team late and sometimes they've got other spots already filled. But Tats is a real good player. He's been a real good NHL player for a number of years.
"He's a great person, great competitor, wants the moment. I'm happy he's having a real good year. I'm hoping he doesn't do that much against us tonight, but he's a great, great person and one of the people that were instrumental in me having success in the American League and allowed me to be here. Very, very happy that he's having a good year."
The last time the Wings and Canadiens met on Oct. 15 in Montreal, Tatar notched three points (1-2-3) against the Wings in the Canadiens' 7-3 victory.
"He just has a knack for scoring. He's been on a good line, he's been playing with Gallagher most of the season and (Philip) Danault," Abdelkader said. "He can really shoot the puck, but he can really get in front of the net and score those dirty goals, too.
"So, obviously he was a great player for us, tough to see him go, but I think he's found a home after leaving Vegas in Montreal where he's settled in and really playing well."

HRONEK'S GAME COMING TOGETHER:Before the season began, defenseman Filip Hronek was the odds-on favorite to make and stick with the Red Wings out of training camp.
With a rash of injuries to Detroit's blueline, Hronek did make the team out of camp, but once the Wings became healthy on the back end, he was sent down to Grand Rapids to refine his game.
Hronek was recalled by the Red Wings on Dec. 14 and hasn't looked out of place. He's had a few up and downs, but for the most part he's been steady.
"I think there's been a big difference (since the call-up) to be honest with you," Niklas Kronwall said. "I thought he had a decent camp. Fil is really hard on himself. He expects a lot from himself, which can be a good thing, but it can also be a negative thing sometimes when you put too much pressure on yourself. I think whenever he went down, he went to work on his game and ever since he got called back I think he's looked right at home.
"Right now, really for quite a few games, he's going up against the other team's top line and he's holding his own and doing great and even chipping in offensively. And of course tonight, he'll probably get a little bit more power-play time that he deserves. I think he's shown that he wants that and he deserves that. It will be encouraging to see him and hopefully he can just take it and run with it."
Blashill has been increasing Hronek's ice time and he's been impressed with how the rookie has bounced back after a subpar game.
"I think confidence from going down, getting his game in order so that when he came back he was in a better spot than he was to start the year," Blashill said when asked the difference in Hronek's game. "I think historically he's a little bit of a slow starter. That's his words, not mine. It's a hard league to be a slow starter in when you're trying to make a team. I thought early when he was with us he made some big mistakes and they went in our net.
"Since he's been back, I think he's managed his game much better. He's taken what's given. He's created offense when offensive opportunities were there, but he's been excellent defensively. He's moved the puck out of our zone and he's shown real strength. He's done a good job in this second stint back."
Hronek admits being sent to Grand Rapids allowed him to work out the kinks in his game, which gave his more confidence.
"I feel more comfortable. I get my confidence back in Grand Rapids and I started to feel better there and then I came here and was trying to keep it going," he said.
In 18 games, Hronek has three goals among his seven points, is minus-6, has 24 penalty minutes and an average ice time of 18:48 per game.

GREEN CLOSE TO RETURNING:Mike Green has been practicing with the Wings and he could begin playing as early as this weekend.
Green has been able to start and stop without pain, which puts him in a seven-day window of when he should be able to rejoin the lineup.
"We're hoping on the weekend. I don't think Friday (at Winnipeg) would be a real possibility because it's back-to-back but we'd love to have him Saturday (at Minnesota)," Blashill said.
Detroit has been a much better team with Green in the lineup.
The Red Wings are 13-8-2 with Green and 3-13-5 without him. Green missed the Wings first nine games of the year with a virus and has been out since Dec. 14 with a lower-body injury he suffered when blocking a shot against the Los Angeles Kings Dec. 10.