Notes: Frk adjusting to part-time role, will play against Columbus

DETROIT -- It is tough to be a part-time player.
But that's the challenge that Martin Frk has faced this season as the Red Wings have incorporated some young players into the lineup like Michael Rasmussen and Christoffer Ehn.

Frk, 25, has played in just 12 of the team's 23 games, has one goal, one assist and is minus-4.
During Monday's morning skate at Little Caesars Arena, Frk was back on the fourth line and on a power-play unit.
"It's hard. I guess harder than people think," Frk admitted. "I got to stay positive. I don't want to be negative. I don't want to show anyone, or especially the teammates I'm mad or frustrated. Everyone wants to play, I get that. It doesn't go the way I want it to go, it's a struggle for me, especially when you are in and out of the lineup. That doesn't help you as much, too. I don't want to cry about it. It's their decision and I respect it. I just try to prepare for every game, if I'm playing, if I'm not playing.
"Just got to keep focus, working and hopefully it will turn around and you earn a spot. If you keep doing well maybe you can get moved out from the fourth line and then you start playing way more. I guess it's about luck, too, when you get some chances, you score and it feels better for you. It's definitely a hard time but there's a lot of guys in the same spot. Just got to stay with it and keep working."
The Wings have talked about trying to get more production from their power play, which has slipped to a tie for 16th in the NHL at 20 percent.
"There's worse power plays in the league so I don't want to get on it so much that we think it's 30th in the league," Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. "There's been a lot of power plays, I just saw percentages as we were going through pre-scouts here and there's other power plays that have struggled worse. The margin for winning is so tight that specialty teams can make a huge difference. When Frky's on it, it's a different look than when Frky's not on it. They can kind of be two different looking type power play units but certainly he's a guy that can score with one shot.
"Our power play's been fairly the same with and without him. If you look at the last two years fro a numbers standpoint, it's almost identical both ways. But it's a different look, I think is what I'd say. Also, if you don't get lots of power plays, it gives you a chance to score with one shot."
Defenseman Mike Green, who quarterbacks one power-play unit, is often looking to set Frk up in his left circle spot, something that has worked before.
"For sure, I'm really happy for that," Frk said. "I just always hope when I go there, because like the 5-on-5 time, you don't get as much opportunity. First of all, you never want the other line to score on you, so that's our main goal, to go on the ice and play good, play defensively and if you get a chance in the offensive zone, create some chances, help the team. If the three lines isn't rolling as good or it's not their night, we need to push them a little bit, give them a boost. Power play, I just want to make sure we score and are doing good and I can help."

LEARNING FROM GREEN: Rookie defenseman Dennis Cholowski is situated nicely between Green and another veteran defenseman, Niklas Kronwall, in the dressing room. That seating arrangement is definitely no accident.
"If you're Dennis and you get a chance to watch Mike Green, you get a chance to watch Niklas Kronwall, Cholo's different than Greener," Blashill said. "Where Greener's probably done way more with his legs, Cholo's not going to do as much with his legs. But he gets a chance to sit there and watch those two guys, guys that have been really, really good offensive defensemen in this league and they both do it a little bit different. He's probably closer to Kronner from a passing standpoint. I think being able to have models like that is extremely important for the development of him."
Cholowski was asked if he had seen something in Green's game that he has tried to use in his own.
"What's really the biggest thing is the calmness," Cholowski said. "He never panics. The ability to make a play under pressure. On the offensive blue line, he's able to walk the line and have poise with the puck and make a play with it. In that aspect, I try to watch him as much as I can."
LAST TIME SEEING CBJ: It seems like the Red Wings have been playing the Columbus Blue Jackets every other week.
Tonight's home game marks the final 2018-19 regular-season meeting between the two teams.
The Wings lost the home opener to the Blue Jackets in overtime, 3-2, on Oct. 4
On Oct. 30, the Wings went to Columbus and earned a 5-3 victory.
"We've obviously seen them twice. They're a really good team," Blashill said. "Look at their team. They've got a couple high-end guys up front. (Cam) Atkinson is playing at a high level. I know him personally from having coached him at a couple of events, including last year's world championship. He's an elite player. Obviously, (Artemi) Panarin's been an elite player in this league for a few years. (Pierre-Luc) Dubois is certainly developing into that. But they also have a good mix of that and the line that's probably given us the most trouble is the (Nick) Foligno-(Josh) Anderson, that line, because they're so heavy, they're so strong on the puck and they grind you down in the D zone. And then they've got an excellent D corps and real good goaltending.
"But that's every night in this league. You're facing a real good team and you gotta play your best hockey to put yourself in position to win the games. And then you gotta find ways at that point to make the big plays at big moments. But I also think we've proven to ourselves that when we play our best hockey, we'll take on anybody and the same would be true here tonight."
Atkinson has been on fire of late. He has a seven-game goal streak with nine goals in that span. Atkinson has 15 goals and nine assists in 22 games.
"He's shifty," Tyler Bertuzzi said. "He sees the ice really well. He's got a good shot. His linemates are obviously helping him out there."
Atkinson is on a line with Artemi Panarin and Pierre-Luc Dubois.
Panarin has five goals and 18 assists in 22 games while Dubois has 10 goals and nine assists in 23 games.
Defensively, the Blue Jackets have Seth Jones and Zach Werenski back together, giving them one of the top young defense pairs in the league.
"Skilled, fast team," Cholowski said. "They got some really good skill players up front, and a couple of defensemen back there that are always up in the rush and threatening offensively. Fast team, but I think if we use our skill and speed, too and get the puck behind them, I think we'll do okay."