"When we're a good team, I think we're spending time in the O-zone. I think our weak-side D is getting weak-side puck retrievals, we're able to stay in the O-zone. We're a team that has to score dirty. We haven't scored much, when we do we have to score dirty, we have to score with chaos in front of the net, but we're a pressure team without giving much up when we're at our best."
As a veteran, Nielsen knows that the other players, particularly the younger ones, might look to him to provide leadership in this time of adversity.
"I think you try and talk and you try and make everyone realize how hard it is to win in this league," Nielsen said. "It's not just going out there and going through your motions. You gotta work really hard and do all the little things out there. We just haven't done that on a consistent basis. But like I said, when we do it, we show how good we can be."
Of course, that task will not be easy when facing the Islanders.
Coach Barry Trotz has the Islanders in second place in the Metropolitan Division at 17-5-2 (36 points).
The Islanders have won four of their last five games against the Wings.
"For one, they're really structured it seems like," Nielsen said. "It seems like Barry's been doing a great job with that area. They all know their job out there and their responsibilities. On top of that, they've got a lot of skill, a lot of talent. It's a really tough test for us."
COMRIE IN TOWN: It has been quite the season for goaltender Eric Comrie and it's only the beginning of December.
Originally the Winnipeg Jets' second-round pick, 59th overall, in the 2013 draft, Comrie was claimed on waivers by the Arizona Coyotes.
Against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Jimmy Howard suffered a mid-body injury in the first period on Nov. 27 and was placed on injured reserve Nov. 29.
The following day, general manager Steve Yzerman traded defenseman Vili Saarijarvi to the Coyotes for Comrie.
"Right now, it's just more depth in the goaltending position," Blashill said. "I thought Pick (Calvin Pickard) came in and it was a weird game for him in Philly in that we didn't give much up and when we gave something up it was a big chance, so that's not a really fair assessment of the goalie. Pick's a great pro. They've had some struggles down there as well. What Comrie does is give us more depth at that position."
Comrie has had to be pretty flexible through all the changes.
"It was kind of a weird season, getting picked up off waivers by Arizona and not really playing any games," Comrie said. "Then they sent me down on a conditioning stint and I got to play in four games, which was a lot of help for me.