Injuries force Red Wings into holding pattern

Detroit – The Red Wings haven't made a determination on how long Justin Abdelkader and Darren Helm will be out of the lineup as they await further tests.

But they know Abdelkader and Helm will miss the game against the Stars at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday.

They also know Luke Glendening is out until after the All-Star break.

Both GM Ken Holland and coach Jeff Blashill said they had no further information on Abdelkader and Helm, who were both lost over the weekend with lower-body injuries.

Helm may have injured a knee.

They are considered day-to-day, pending further observation.

“They’re both waiting to get examined, so we’ll have better knowledge,” Blashill said. “They’ll both be out tomorrow.
“Is it longer than that? I don’t know that answer.”

Blashill said that with Dominic Turgeon recalled from Grand Rapids, there is no need for reinforcements.

The timing of Glendening’s return remains unclear. He is on injured reserve.

The Red Wings’ first game after the break is Jan. 31 against the Sharks in Little Caesars Arena.

“I don’t know that he’ll be ready after the All-Star break, but he won’t be ready before,” Blashill said, referring to Jan. 26-28.

The Wings practiced Monday in their training center, as Pistons fans began arriving in swarms for their Martin Luther King Jr. Day matinee in the big arena, came after consecutive games and the five-day bye period mandated by the collective bargaining agreement.

The Wings got in some long overdue work on the specialty teams, with the power play and penalty kill drills occupying considerable time.

The forwards lines remained the same as against the Blackhawks, as did the power play units and the penalty kill.

The kill personnel is experiencing a considerable turnover, with three of the Wings prime penalty killers, Abdelkader, Glendening and Helm all out, for a while.

Blashill said he plans to use Turgeon, who has considerable penalty killing experience in the AHL, in the role, as well as contributing on the five-on-five.
Turgeon played 9:01 against the Blackhawks Sunday, including 1:43 on the penalty kill.

He had a shot on goal, a takeaway, three blocked shots and lost his only faceoff.

gregg.krupa@detroitnews.com

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