Darren Helm News

PHT's Morning Skate takes a look around the world of hockey to see what's happening and what we'll be talking about around the NHL world and beyond.

Several other Red Wings said, like Howard, they used the day off from the rink to get some needed rest.

Helm was expected to be the Red Wings' third-line center before injuring his back in the weight room just before training camp began in January this lockout-shortened season.

Time to take a look at our old rivals from Motwon before we give them what they want; a trip to the Eastern Conference.

Detroit Red Wings forward Drew Miller appears to be making a fast recovery from his broken right hand and could be available for the Western Conference semifinal playoff series against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Everyone knew things would be different, less predictable and more turbulent. The Red Wings rode the wave of youthful transition all season, so we shouldn't be surprised they engaged in a classically riveting first-round series with the Ducks.

Joakim Andersson loved every extra minute of responsibility the Detroit Red Wings gave him over the course of the season.

Welp, here we are at Game Seven of the Wings' first round series against the 2-seeded Ducks.

But it's the best one Red Wings coach Mike Babcock has to offer at the moment. And whatever the reasons that led him - and his team - to this point, facing playoff elimination when the puck drops on Game 6 against the Ducks tonight at Joe Louis Arena, it's the one on which he's going to hang his playoff hat.

The Red Wings fixed a lot of things Monday. Their shooting and net-front presence, their energy level and goaltending were all better.

Story line: Anaheim was the NHL's most surprising performer this season and Detroit extended its playoff run to 22 seasons.

"It's a big loss," said Holland, the Red Wings general manager. "But we've had a lot of big losses.

Darren Helm wasn't about to let a five-hour plane trip keep him from a trip to Disneyland.

For about the past 15-plus years, fans of the Detroit Red Wings have worried about several things heading into the NHL's Stanley Cup Playoffs.

While the Red Wings aren't having a typical season, Datsyuk still is one of the top players in the league.

With realignment next season, Detroit moves to the Eastern Conference. 2. This is the second game of a back-to-back for the Red Wings, who played the Kings on Wednesday.

Most of those years, the Pistons were usually entrenched in a deep playoff run. The Lions were always in the news with their fabled high draft picks and the Tigers would be getting into the grind of their season.