Edvinsson Earning His Keep: Walman Still Iffy; Goalie Decision

Young defenseman Simon Edvinsson is making it hard for the Detroit Red Wings to return him to Grand Rapids by getting the job done in big games with playoff implications

“(It’s) hard, but he’s done a good job,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “Even the other night (against Nashville), we asked a lot of him. Couple mistakes, which are going to happen, just some growth. He kind of followed a turnover north that put us in a bad spot. Little things like that are teachable. What he’s doing out of our zone, how he’s defending, really positive for him. We talk about our team game improving of late and he’s been a big part of it.”

Edvinsson played 18:19 for a Red Wings team that played one of Detroit’s better defensive games of the season, although the team fell 1-0 on a late third period goal.

“We’ll take that (team) game every single time,” Lalonde said. “Just gave up a handful of chances. Obviously, you limit that team to one goal against, we didn’t turn the puck over. It was one of our better game management games. We didn’t give up any odd-mans. We gave up where they came out of the box, a little bit dangerous two-on-one, that was it. That’s playoff-type hockey. It’s tight hockey. I just liked our approach.”

Edvinsson Improving

Lalonde said Edvinsson just needs to continue to minimize his mistakes.

“When they do happen, we communicate it,” Lalonde said. “This team of year, our team video is important, reps are important, but I think a lot of what we do, especially in the situation of growing his development is the one-on-one type of video, called shift tape. This morning might be the most important thing for him to watch back his game, talk it though, what he’s thinking here, what was his thought process here, what did you see here. Very raw growth in the development stage.”

Edvinsson is expected to keep his place in Detroit’s top four in a big game against Washington because injured defenseman Jake Walman is still questionable with an undisclosed injury. He did practice on Monday.

“Probably not (ready), but we’ll see how he responds from practice, his first full practice and it was a legit practice,” Lalonde said. “Forty minutes with some legit reps. That was a positive. You don’t get many of those this time of year.”

Illness Making Rounds

An illness continues to work its way around the Red Wings’ dressing room. Defenseman Jeff Petry is the latest to be fighting the bug. He didn’t practice Monday. Lalonde was unsure Petry will play against Washington. Lalonde has already announced Alex Lyon will start Thursday. His 31 saves against Nashville earned him the Washington start.

“But it might be one of our better goalie performances in a long time,” Lalonde said.

Lalonde said injured Ville Husso isn’t yet close to being ready to play.

“He’s got to get comfortable enough,” Lalonde said. “He’s had a couple little small setbacks. But he’s got to get comfortable to get into a game, which will probably be in Grand Rapids. He’s not there yet.”