Marco Kasper isn\u2019t the only youngster who rediscovered some offensive confidence on the Detroit Red Wings\u2019 recent road trip.<\/p>\n
Kasper\u2019s six points over his past five games drew attention because he\u2019s playing on the top line. But the Red Wings are just as pleased with Emmitt Finnie picking up two assists in two games, playing on the third line with James van Riemsdyk and JT Compher.<\/p>\n
\u201cEmmitt had the shot out of a gun at the beginning of the year (and) just took the team and the city here by storm because it was unexpected,\u201d Detroit coach Todd McLellan said. \u201d Now there\u2019s expectations, and we\u2019re pushing him to live up to that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Finnie went 13 games without registering a point. He was playing hard, but wasn\u2019t getting many shots on goal. He started this season playing on Detroit\u2019s top line with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not an easy thing to be playing at this time of the year in the NHL,\u201d McLellan said. \u201cIt\u2019s a grind. He\u2019s been through it in junior, but having not played with Dylan and Razor now for a little while, he still found ways to be effective and to use his speed. Offensively, it hasn\u2019t been there as much, but that\u2019s okay. But his speed, his tenacity, his ability to loosen up pucks for linemates, penalty kill when he gets the chance, a little bit of power play, kind of all over the map, still effective.\u201d<\/p>\n
Similar to the Kasper situation, the Red Wings are hoping Finnie\u2019s offense will also be there this week for the three home games, starting tonight against GM Ken Holland\u2019s Los Angeles Kings.<\/p>\n
Red Wings In Case You Missed It<\/p>\n
Detroit prospect Dimitri Buchelnikov<\/a> is working to be ready for a February return to KHL action. He\u2019s recovering from shoulder surgery.<\/p>\n The way the NHL schedule<\/a> worked out, the Red Wings have no home games in February. The Olympic break takes up most of the month.<\/p>\n Red Wings Extra<\/p>\n When you count Detroit prospect Rudy Guimond\u2019s regular-season and playoffs for the Moncton Wildcats, his combined record is 51-6-2. This season, he\u2019s 27-5-2 with a 2.35 goals-against average and .920 save percentage.<\/p>\n Hockey Now Network<\/p>\n Colorado: It\u2019s going to be touch-and-go about injured Gabriel Landeskog being ready to play for Sweden in the Olympics. Colorado Avalanche.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n New Jersey: Cody Glass and the New Jersey third line are playing well enough that the Devils may not be looking to upgrade that trio via trade. New Jersey Devils.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n