| The Detroit News
Robby Fabbri of the Wings at the Columbus game at noon
Red Wings striker Robby Fabbri talks about the Blue Jackets game today at noon, the move to the center, initial success.
The Detroit News
Detroit – You don’t see it very often, especially on weekdays.
But the Red Wings will play the rare disc release at noon when they face Columbus on Monday at Little Caesars Arena.
It’s a holiday, so there’s that, but it’s still so unusual to play so early.
Athletes are creatures of habit and, try as they may, this game can throw some guys off balance.
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“It’s definitely different,” said striker Robby Fabbri. “It takes me back to junior days (hockey), when you play in the afternoon. It’s like any other game, you get used to it and adapt to the weather.
“You follow the same routine – only at the beginning of the day.”
A major consideration for an abnormal early game change, like Monday’s game, is the pre-game meal – and what and when to eat.
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Hockey players usually eat a meal rich in carbohydrates and proteins about 2 to 3 hours before the game.
But noodles and salmon may not come down easily at 8 or 9 am
“Obviously there are different things in terms of the game, (but) I would say that in terms of the biological clock, this (noon) is the time that we practice every day, and they’ve been doing it for months, so I don’t think it’s a great fit, ”said coach Jeff Blashill. “Both teams are on the same boat. They (Blue Jackets) have a little more travel involved (coming from Nashville).
“Basically, the meal you eat and the time are a little different.”
Wings coach Jeff Blashill talks about “competing like crazy”
Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill talks about “competing like crazy” and getting ready for Monday’s game at noon against Columbus.
The Detroit News
Angry opponent
The regular season doesn’t even have a week, and the Blue Jackets are already in the mandatory win mode, according to angry fans on social media.
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Two consecutive defeats to Nashville, plus an exchange demand from playmaker Pierre-Luc Dubois, and a suspicious offensive attack, make Jackets fans fear the worst.
But Blashilll sees this from a different perspective.
“We know how good Columbus is,” said Blashill. “They have one of the best defensive teams in the league, two of the top ten defenders in the league (Seth Jones, Zach Werenski from Grosse Pointe), are extremely well trained and play a lot. It will be difficult to get (score) opportunities against them.
“We have to compete like crazy to win. We competed well on the first night (a loss to Carolina), but on the second we competed like crazy (a victory) and that’s how we have to play to win ”.
Big night
Striker Filip Zadina made two assists on Saturday, leaving team-mates Fabbri and Bobby Ryan to score goals, but it was Zadina’s defensive work that was also pleasant to see.
Zadina was impressive on the training ground chasing and removing opponents’ discs, and after a subpar season opening, Zadina was much more effective on Saturday at both ends of the ring.
“He’s taking discs, moving his feet, these (assists) were two great moves for us, balanced moves,” said striker Dylan Larkin. “I hope it helps your confidence. This line with him, Fabs and Bobby were great for us and we will need them to be great throughout the season. “
Calm veteran
A notable difference on Saturday, as when Carolina tied the game early in the third period, there was no panic from the Wings.
In the last few seasons, and especially in the last season, the Wings would likely have broken up and lost control of the game.
But on Saturday, the Wings remained balanced and, finally, regained the lead and won the victory.
Larkin credited the range of new veteran faces at Wings, who have certainly strengthened the squad – forwards Ryan and Vladislav Namestnikov, defenders Marc Staal, Troy Stecher and Jon Merrill and goalkeeper Thomas Greiss.
“I just felt calm from a lot of the new guys that we are going to continue, we are not going to be frustrated,” said Larkin. “We saw a lot in the past year. We would start the third period and they would score a (goal) early and as they (the hurricanes) did and that was it. We were in our own heads.
“I didn’t see that from any of those guys. We just keep going. “
Twitter: @tkulfan
Blue jackets at Red Wings
They face each other: Noon, Monday, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
TV / radio: FSD / 97.1
Outlook: The Blue Jackets (0-2-0) opened the season with two losses in Nashville … The Blue Jackets are without former Red Wing LW Gustav Nyquist (shoulder surgery), who could miss most of the season .. The two teams will return on Tuesday on the fast and furious NHL schedule.