Non-contending Detroit still motivated opponent
DETROIT — The Penguins have plenty of key Metropolitan Division games coming up over the next two weeks as they try to solidify their playoff position. They also have a handful of games against teams well out of the playoff picture.
The game Tuesday night against the Detroit Red Wings fell into the latter category.
Detroit is not in postseason contention, but the Penguins weren’t expecting to face a team with nothing to play for. Instead, the motivations just might have been a bit different.
“For guys trying to establish themselves, they’re looking to earn a spot, playing for a contract,” Sidney Crosby said. “In other guys’ cases, they’re looking for the motivation to put us in a bad spot, too. I think every team, individual guys kind of have their own motivation. For us, we’ve got to be aware of that.”
That means playing a team that might be a bit more willing to take some risks offensively. Remaining games against the New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets will have a playoff feel to them. The contests against the Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators and the Red Wings, could be a bit more freewheeling.
“You’re playing a team that plays pretty loose,” Carl Hagelin said. “They’re ready to take some chances to create opportunities offensively. For us, it’s important to play well defensively. We’ll get our chances.
“We’ve just got to make sure we’re not giving away any freebies.”
Riley Sheahan knows well what it’s like to play on a team out of the playoff race late in the season. Last year, he was on the Red Wings playing out the string.
“I think sometimes when you’re relaxed and you’re playing with a little bit of weight off your shoulders, sometimes it’s dangerous,” Sheahan said.
“A lot of these young guys coming up, they’re fast and they’re willing to try things and work hard. Every game’s going to be an intense environment, and you’ve got to be ready for your opponent.”
While it might be a bit different on the ice, Mike Sullivan and his coaching staff didn’t approach this game any differently.
“For me, it doesn’t matter,” Sullivan said. “Every team in this league is good, every game is a hard-fought game, every team has something to play for and there’s good players and good coaches in this league.
“We know that we’ve got a good opportunity in front of us to continue to try to put ourselves in the best position moving forward.”
It’s a bit odd, though, that the Red Wings are one of those teams looking for non-playoff motivation at this point in the season. After 25 consecutive years in the postseason, Detroit is going to miss out for the second year in a row.
“Yeah, just because you get so used to seeing them there,” Crosby said. “But, at the same time, you realize how hard it is to make the playoffs every year.
“The league is so competitive. It’s not easy to get there. It’s difficult year after year. They’re a team who was able to do it for such a long time. “
Aston-Reese status
Zach Aston-Reese was back in the lineup after being a game-time decision Tuesday night for the Penguins. He had missed the previous 13 games with an upper-body injury, but has been practicing with the team for nearly a week now.
Aston-Reese only played in 10 games before getting hurt, but had four goals and two assists in that brief stint. He’s hoping to pick up where he left off.
“You try not to think about that, exactly,” AstonReese said. “You just try to think about the smaller things of the game, the smaller details, especially my kind of game.
“I think I bring some other things to the table besides scoring, but it’s always nice to score. I think just finding good positions around the net, things like that.”