Notes: Mantha questionable for tonight's game against the Rangers
Tatar has a good New Year's resolution

© Dave Reginek/Detroit Red Wings
"He had a little nagging thing coming in and so we'll see," Wings coach Jeff Blashill said, calling Mantha questionable.
Mantha, who has just one goal and one assist in his last six games, was moved off the top line back to a line with Dylan Larkin and Tomas Tatar during Thursday's practice.
"I bet Coach is just trying to find some line (combinations) so we need more than one line for sure," Tatar said. "Moe is a good hockey player for sure but players is up and down during the season, we just have to get out of that slump early as you can. Like you said, hopefully we'll find that chemistry again and get us going."
HOWARD VERSUS LUNDQVIST: The Rangers played goaltender Ondrej Pavelec Wednesday night against the Washington Capitals in order to give Henrik Lundqvist five full days off with the Christmas break.
That means that Lundqvist is rested and ready for tonight against the Wings, one of his favorite foes.
In 13 career games against Detroit, Lundqvist is 7-4-2 with a 1.90 goals-against average and .938 save percentage. The goals-against average and save percentage are his best against any opponent.
"I feel like he's always on top of his game when he plays against us," Gustav Nyquist said. "He's a great goalie, obviously. He's one of those goalies where you feel like you have a clear shot but he reads your shot really well. It's tough to score on him, but it's like anything, really, you got to make sure he doesn't see the puck, then it's not as easy for him, so I think that's what he's going to do."
Nyquist remembers correctly as Lundqvist has been especially good of late, going 7-1-1 with a 1.09 goals-against average, .963 save percentage and four shutouts in his last nine appearances against the Wings.
At age 35, Lundqvist does not seem to be dropping off despite a heavy workload.
In 31 games this season, Lundqvist is 17-9-3 with a 2.61 goals-against average and .921 save percentage.
In 773 career games, Lundqvist is 422-258-79 with a 2.33 goals-against average, .920 save percentage and 63 shutouts.
"I think that's the mark of true greatness," Blashill said. "I think there's lots of guys in the league that have a great couple of years, but I think the elite guys, the Hall of Famers, the ones that have done it forever, they got a special quality to them, usually they're the guys that have that inner drive that work so hard at their craft and keep finding ways to get better. I hear that's his approach. I don't know if it surprises me but it's like any of the real great ones, it's like (Henrik) Zetterberg for us, they've been so good for so long because of their approach."
Lundqvist always has a game and willing opponent in Jimmy Howard, a Syracuse, New York native.
"He's a great goalie," Tatar said of Lundqvist. "I feel like every time we're playing the Rangers, Jimmy and him just turn it on. They're playing good defense, it's going to be a tough game. We have to play good for sure. I think we played solid last game, we just have to score more goals. Otherwise you don't have a chance to win. Power play was struggling a little bit so we know we have to be better and there's the challenge tonight."
In 11 career games against the Rangers, Howard is 5-3-3 with a 1.72 goals-against average and .950 save percentage. That save percentage is his best against any team.
Against the Rangers, Howard will have to be at his best.
"They're as good an offensive zone team as we'll see in the league," Blashill said. "They spread you out and attack the slot unreal. We walked away from that game (2-1 overtime loss in New York Nov. 24) and we thought we played real well and we did, offensively, but defensively, they had tons of chances and Jimmy was excellent. They can really work in the O-zone. You got to be fast coming out of your end. You better handle their forecheck and you better come out of your end fast. If you spend lots of time in your end you're in trouble."
CHANCE FOR BERTUZZI: Zetterberg and Nyquist will get a new, young linemate in Tyler Bertuzzi tonight.
"It's going to be fun," Nyquist said. "I think he's come in and played real well. He brings a lot of energy, he's skating, he's winning battles, he's physical. I think he'll do good on our line. He'll provide some net presence for us and win some pucks on the forecheck."
Bertuzzi is also slated to be on the second power-play unit with Larkin, Andreas Athanasiou, Martin Frk and Mike Green.
"He has certain grit, he's playing hard in that area," Tatar said. "I think he played really well last game, made a nice pass for the goal. He's playing heavy, too, playing hard, so good for him. He has an opportunity to show the coach he should be here and be part of the lineup every night."
RESOLUTION FOR TATAR: Last month Tatar posted a funny video of his first time skating at Little Caesars Arena - or attempting to skate.
Tatar had forgotten to take off his skate guards and ended up falling.
Instagram from @tomastatar\_21: Here is something what will make you smile.My first skate at @littlecaesarsarena didn't go as I thought it will. ��♂️�������� @detroitredwings Stick✅ gloves ✅ skate guards ❌#welcometoLCAtats #damnyouskateguards #feltgood #whatanidiot #nositynormalny #nemamcas #niicmuneniotrasmozguma
Apparently, Tatar has not learned his lesson.
"Yeah, I forget to take them off again so 2-0 skate guards," Tatar said.
It was suggested that perhaps Tatar needed to make that his New Year's resolution.
"Yeah, pretty much, got to pay more attention if they're on or off," he said, laughing.