Tough choices will follow return of three Red Wings
Detroit – Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill is going to be making some difficult lineup decisions soon – and he doesn’t mind.
Goalie Jimmy Howard (groin), forward Andreas Athanasiou (knee) and defenseman Alexey Marchenko (shoulder) all practiced Thursday – with Howard scheduled to be in uniform Friday against Columbus (Petr Mrazek will start). Athanasiou might be in the lineup Friday, and Marchenkno is more likely to return Sunday.
When those three are ready to play, that means three others will have to sit.
“We’d like to have more hard decisions; the more hard decisions means you have more good players around,” Blashill said. “Now sometimes, you can go in reverse and you have easy decisions by people playing great, and that’s one way to ensure yourself a spot in the lineup, by playing great.
“The question I get (from players) is, ‘What did I do to come out?’ My question back is, ‘What did you do to stay in?’
“You have to make sure, as a player, your job is to play as great as possible to make your case, and my job is to make those hard decisions. We’d like to make as many hard ones as possible by everyone ultimately playing great.”
Howard was activated off the injured list Wednesday after missing the last missing the last six games with a tweaked groin suffered Nov. 25 in New Jersey.
But Howard only missed approximately four days of practice, which has kept his conditioning and timing near where it was.
“I felt good, but as practice went along (Thursday) it was a little tough on the lungs,” Howard said.
Goalie Jimmy Howard back in uniform for Columbus game
Athanasiou’s game is predicated on his speed and he felt confident in letting loose in practice.
“It feels good accelerating,” Athanasiou said. “I haven’t had any problems with my stride. I’m excited, it’s so tough being out and watching.”
Marchenko practiced Thursday but sounded as if might need another day or two to feel confident giving and absorbing hits.
“If it was the playoffs, I would play,” Marchenko said.
Long homestand
The Red Wings begin their longest homestand of the season Friday, five consecutive games at Joe Louis Arena with red-hot Columbus the first opponent.
But considering how the Red Wings have played at home recently – 2-6-2 over their last 10 home games – is it really an advantage?
Turning Joe Louis Arena into a home-ice advantage again is something that’s important during this stretch.
“It’s huge for us,” Howard said. “The main part is just keep it simple and not try to overdo anything. Go out there and just play simple hockey and put pucks on net and crash the net.”
Red-hot Jackets
Not many analysts thought the Columbus Blue Jackets would be a playoff contender this season.
But entering Thursday’s games, the Jackets were 15-5-4 (34 points) and just a point from the Metropolitan Division lead.
Blashill saw potential from the Blue Jackets the second half of last season.
“We felt they were in a spot where they were real good,” Blashill said. “They’ve found a way to be better than anyone on the power play (ranked first), they’re structurally sound and Torts (coach John Tortorella) is a real good coach and has them playing real good hockey.
“They’re a hard team to play against.”
Blue Jackets at Red Wings
Faceoff: Friday, 7:30 p.m., Joe Louis Arena
TV / radio: Fox Sports Detroit / 97.1 FM
Notes: Columbus is 7-1-2 over its last 10 games and has won four straight. … The Blue Jackets and Minnesota have allowed a league-low 53 goals. … D Zach Werenski (Grosse Pointe Woods / Michigan) is a Rookie of the Year candidate (17 points, 22 minutes ice time).
ted.kulfan@detroitnews.com
Twitter @tkulfan