Todd Bertuzzi News

The Red Wings, who took a demanding path into the playoffs, and then another one to the second round, will breeze into the Windy City this weekend with a cushion they have not enjoyed in some time.

Inevitably, this year's NHL 2013 playoffs tournament will include wide, gap-toothed grins from the best hockey players in the league.

Detroit Red Wings rookie Joakim Andersson does not have fond memories of his first game against the Chicago Blackhawks on March 3. His line was matched against the Blackhawks' big, fast and potent third line of Viktor Stalberg, Andrew Shaw and Bryan Bickell.

In actual fact, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and upwardly mobile private equity companies have tough sledding in the Sunshine State.

Patrick Kane: Although the Hawks inexplicably lacked energy in Game 2, Kane did his part by logging 24 shifts and scoring his first goal of the postseason.

For a long time, the Red Wings supposedly were too old. The perception was, they guzzled Metamucil and were the only hockey team that lost teeth naturally.

Jumping into a game after a one-month layoff is a challenge, but it's the playoffs and Drew Miller was happy to make the leap.

Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk is one of the NHL's most feared scorers, a wizard with the puck who is equally adept at setting up his teammates for easy plays.

In Game 4 against the Ducks, they scored two - one by Brendan Smith to tie the game at 1-1 and one by Pavel Datsyuk to tie the game at 2-2 and send the game to overtime.

Recent findings in a new Harris Poll looks at how fliers who take at least one trip a year feel... Red Wings ready to go again: Red Wings looking to redeem themselves in Game 2. Video by Helene St.

Forward Johan Franzen awaits the puck to shoot on Jonas Gustavsson during the Detroit Red Wings morning skate prior to Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series against the Chicago Blackhawks tonight at the United Center.

Nobody is giving the Red Wings much of a chance in their series against the Chicago Blackhawks, but that's fine with the Red Wings.

Henrik Zetterberg took a few well-deserved deep breaths before he packed his bags in the Detroit Red Wings' dressing room.

Coach Mike Babcock has decided to use veterans Todd Bertuzzi, Mikael Samuelsson and Patrick Eaves on the fourth line, putting Eaves into the lineup and sitting Cory Emmerton.

Coach Mike Babcock points the way for Todd Bertuzzi from behind the Red Wings' bench during the third period of Game 6 on Friday night at Joe Louis Arena.

Zetterberg had his second goal 1:04 into overtime, lifting the Detroit Red Wings to a 4-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks in Game 6 on Friday night to extend their first-round series.

Justin Abdelkader returned from suspension and Daniel Cleary refused to let a little soreness get in the way of a playoff game.

In any elimination game, a team needs outstanding goaltending. And the way Jimmy Howard has played - 2.84 goals-against, .903 save percentage - you have to think the Red Wings will be headed back to California for Game 7 on Sunday.

"I feel like I finish checks all the time," said Eaves, who also drew praise from coach Mike Babcock for his skating.

May 2, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Justin Abdelkader reacts after scoring a goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period in game two of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at the Honda Center.