Red Wings' promising signs sparked by youth

Detroit Red Wings veteran forward Thomas Vanek is an athlete who can find a comfortable place between optimism and reality.

He sees the Red Wings’ back-to-back wins against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens as a hopeful sign, but not a reason to uncork a celebration about Detroit’s playoff chances.

“As a team, I don’t think we are quite over the hump yet,” Vanek said. “We are a fragile team, a team trying to learn to win. We have some great leadership, but we also have some guys who haven’t been there, done that. When you are losing, it’s tough.”

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The Red Wings took important steps by scoring six goals against the Penguins on Saturday and then winning a 1-0 tug-a-war against Montreal on Monday, but they are still four points out of a playoff spot, needing to climb past Florida, Ottawa and Tampa Bay before getting to third-place Toronto in the Atlantic.

To qualify for the playoffs for a 26th consecutive season, the Red Wings need an extended winning streak, a lofty goal considering  the current two-game streak is the longest they’ve had since early December.

“It’s a game of confidence,” Vanek said. “And we got a little bit against Pittsburgh.”

And they added more confidence by limiting Montreal to 18 shots on goal. The Red Wings looked like a premier defensive team, even though they rank 21st with a 2.89 goals-against average.

One reason for optimism has been an improved offense, which ranks 24th with 2.43 goals per game, but has scored 40 goals over their past 13 contests. It has been helped by younger players such as Anthony Mantha and Andreas Athanasiou. Mantha has 22 points in 29 games, while Athanasiou has four goals in his past six games. Xavier Ouellet, 23, has established himself as a dependable defenseman. Injured veteran players Justin Abdelkader and Mike Green have returned to the lineup.

Goalie Jared Coreau, 25, has given the Red Wings a lift, going 5-1-1 in eight appearances with a 2.70 goals-against average and .911 save percentage. His play has been crucial because Jimmy Howard has been sidelined with an injury and Petr Mrazek has had a subpar season.

Coreau’s strength, in addition to his 6-6 size, is a calm approach. He says his key is “not getting too scrambly and keeping the puck in front of me.”

The Red Wings also have help coming in the minors. Prospect defenseman Robbie Russo has been impressive for Grand Rapids, the Red Wings' American Hockey League team. He’s an offensive-minded defenseman who soon might be able to spark their power play, which ranks last in the NHL. Russo also has a plus-minus of plus-49 during the past one-and-a-half seasons.

In the meantime, the Red Wings will try to build on their recent play.

Vanek said the last two wins have showed “what we talk about is true."

“When we play the right way and get to the net and get out of the zone quicker we can beat anybody,” he said.