Tomas Holmstrom, trying to keep the puck away from Duncan Keith of the Blackhawks earlier this season, has 15 goals and eight assists in 45 games. (David Guralnick/The Detroit News)
Justin Abdelkader isn't looking at Grand Rapids as a demotion.
It's a chance.
"I think it's good for me to play a lot of minutes," said Abdelkader, who was sent to Grand Rapids on Jan. 29 when Jason Williams (broken fibula) returned. "Here I can play power play, penalty kill and get a good opportunity. It's a good experience for me"
In five games in Grand Rapids, Abdelkader has one goal and is minus-1. With the Wings, he played in 50 games and had three goals and three assists and led the team in hits (152).
Griffins coach Curt Fraser already sees a difference.
"Stronger, more confident," Fraser said. "This is a chance for him to work on his skills and sharpen them up again so when he does go back up to Detroit ... hopefully he's going to be better."
Another positive about being in Grand Rapids is that the Muskegon native gets to see his friends and family more often.
"All the games they come down," he said. "Me and one of the guys went down and had dinner (one) Sunday night, so it's kind of nice. It's only about 40 minutes away so it's nice to get back."
Stay tuned
If the Wings make the postseason, it's likely that Abdelkader will be recalled.
"They're too good to not make the playoffs, especially with guys coming back and stuff," he said of the Red Wings, who are two points behind the Predators for the eighth playoff spot. "Hopefully (they'll) get on a run here, a winning stretch of five or six games and solidify a playoff spot."
Injury updates
Tomas Holmstrom (bruised left knee) left practice early Monday and is questionable for tonight's game at St. Louis.
"I was out skating before practice, couldn't really push away hard," Holmstrom said. "I've been out for four weeks and then play two games and a period and then out again. It's not a dream scenario."
... Patrick Eaves (sprained left ankle) did not practice and remains day-to-day.
... Niklas Kronwall (knee) practiced Monday but said he did not expect to play tonight. He hopes to play Thursday at home against San Jose.
... Drew Miller (sore left ankle) expects to play tonight.
"I was a little worried (Monday) morning," he said. "(I) didn't know how it would feel in the skate, but got out there and was able to practice the whole practice."
Tape to tape
Defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefson , acquired from Philadelphia in the trade of Ville Leino on Saturday, cleared waivers Monday and has been assigned to Grand Rapids.
... Goaltender Jimmy Howard will start tonight.
... Miller and Brett Lebda won the Super Bowl pool -- they had the Saints winning.
By the numbers
+21 Defenseman Nick Lidstrom's plus-minus
+16: Defenseman Brian Rafalski's plus-minus
-16: Defenseman Jonathan Ericsson's plus-minus
-15: Defenseman Niklas Kronwall's plus-minus
No comeback kids
If the Wings trail after the first or second period, they normally lose. Here's their record:
Where they rank
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